The candidate of the Action Peoples Party, APP, for the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, Imo State, in the 2027 general election, Hon. Ken Agbim, has promised to prioritize
the repeal of state of origin provisions in the constitution and review of Nigeria’s recent tax reforms as it affects inter-bank transfers, if elected.
He also said he would support the establishment of State Police and Forest Guards, as well as the reorganisation of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to make it more effective, responsive, and better positioned to address unemployment.
He stated this in his responses to questions asked by the Civic Forum, a publication that seeks candidates’ plans, views, aims and objectives in their quest for the mandate of the electorate.
Agbim, who represented Ahiazu Mbaise in the Imo State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019, said he would also work for human capital development, job creation and agriculture.
He said he would target human capital development through special education funds.
On unemployment, he said he would create “an employment desk in my constituency to capture unemployed youths in a database for easy identification and deployment once employment opportunities come up.”
Addressing the issue agriculture, Hon. Agbim, who also goes by the title, Ichie, said he would set up “an agriculture desk to support farmers with special funds, improved seedlings, and education on the use of technology to improve farming.”
According to him, the strategies he will adopt towards achieving his goals in the House of Representatives will be through building bipartisan relationships with other legislators in order to access opportunities when they come.
Other means through which he intends to approach his assignment, if elected, would be through “regular interface with various ministries and agencies of government to tap into programmes that will benefit my constituency, such as the NDDC, South East Development Commission, and Imo River Basin Authority.”
Agbim said he would also ensure judicious expenditure of constituency funds to address the pressing needs of each of the 24 wards in the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency.
The APP House of Representatives candidate identified poor road network, unemployment and poor health facilities as the three most pressing challenges facing his constituency.
Insisting that he is one of the most qualified candidates running in the election, Hon. Agbim listed experience and performance as a member of the Imo State House of Assembly as his inspirations for seeking his constituents’ mandate.
“I represented Ahiazu State Constituency in the House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019 and served as Minority Leader.
“During my tenure, I spoke for my constituency and offered effective representation.
“I was efficient and effective in my primary assignment, which is legislation. I raised many motions, including a motion calling on the State Chief Judge to appoint a judge for Ahiazu High Court, which had no judge at the time.
“I also raised a motion calling on the Commissioner of Police to dismantle numerous police roadblocks along the Owerri–Mbaise–Umuahia Road.
“I sponsored a bill to ban the activities of miscreants who demand ‘marching ground’ fees from land developers and other related matters.
“I also offered scholarships annually to secondary school students, sponsored and organised football competitions among youths in Ahiazu, and built a 100-capacity ICT centre within the Ahiazu Local Government headquarters.
“I remain the only House of Assembly member, past or present, to have built such a structure in the local government.
“I also assisted constituents to gain employment in the State Civil Service,” he stated, adding that he would leverage on his experience to work at the National Assembly.
Expressing his views on public service, Agbim said it “means being in a position of trust and having the opportunity to serve the public.
“It means being in a position where your decisions and actions can impact many other people, either positively or negatively.
“It also means facing difficult decisions and being expected to take the right decisions in the interest of many other people who do not have a similar opportunity.”
Declaring that he is tasted and trusted, Agbim said that is the main reason he should be voted to the House of Representatives.
“I am credible and a man of character and conscience,” he stated.
Born on March 13, 1970, in Ogbor Ihitteafukwu, Ekwerazu, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, Ichie Ken Agbim, studied Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and graduated with 2nd Class Honours (Upper Division).
He holds a Master’s degree, with distinction, and a PhD, both from the Imo State University, Owerri.
He has many years of experience in marketing communications and brand management.
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