UMUNEDE: A political storm is gathering across the newly created Ika North-East State Constituency II in Delta State, where many residents say they are abandoning the age-old culture of bloc voting in what could reshape the political landscape of Ika Nation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Umunede, Mbiri, Igbodo, Akumazi, rapidospace News Ekwuoma and Owere-Olubor, the message from many residents interviewed by RapidoSpace News was unmistakable: “Our votes are no longer anyone’s inheritance.
The residents alleged that for decades, they had been persuaded to vote as one political bloc with promises of development, employment and government presence, only to be left disappointed after every election cycle.
According to them, despite Ika Nation producing some of Delta State’s most influential political figures, the two local government areas of Ika North-East and Ika South remain plagued by poor roads, neglected schools, inadequate healthcare facilities, unemployment, poor markets and limited government infrastructure.
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Many questioned how an area regarded as one of Delta’s political powerhouses could still struggle with what they described as basic developmental challenges.
An elderly farmer from Mbiri, Mr. Okafor, said the condition of healthcare services best illustrates the neglect experienced by many rural communities.
We don’t even have functional healthcare centres in many of our villages. If someone falls critically ill at midnight, the family has no choice but to travel to Umunede or Agbor before getting treatment. Is that what we should be celebrating after years of supporting politicians?” he asked.
He further alleged that politicians only remembered the people during election campaigns. Every four years they come with bags of rice, salt and other gifts, asking us to deliver bloc votes. Once they win, we don’t see them again. My family has decided that enough is enough. This time we will vote according to our conscience.
Mr. Okafor said he would support Peter Obi for President and Engineer Ebite Emmanuel PhD, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly.
Similar frustrations echoed across Ekwuoma, Akumazi, Owere-Olubor, Igbodo and Umunede, where residents alleged that their communities had remained on the margins of development despite years of unwavering political support.
Several respondents claimed that roads have deteriorated, schools have received little attention, healthcare remains inadequate and employment opportunities continue to elude many qualified young people.
Some youths further alleged that political appointments and employment opportunities have been concentrated within a small political circle, leaving many deserving sons and daughters of Ika without access to government opportunities.
Many respondents argued that the politics of imposition had denied the people the freedom to choose leaders based on competence and performance.
In Umunede, several residents said they were determined to break with the past by voting for candidates of their own choice rather than those allegedly endorsed by political leaders.
One resident declared: For years, others have decided who should represent us. This time, the people will decide. We want to give Engr. Ebite Emmanuel the opportunity to serve. We believe God can use him to bring development, fairness and hope to our constituency.”
Across the constituency, respondents repeatedly insisted that the era of automatic bloc voting had come to an end.
Many maintained that the 2027 elections would be decided not by political directives but by competence, accessibility, integrity and a candidate’s commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people.
While the views expressed remain those of the residents interviewed, they reflect what appears to be a growing mood for political change in parts of Ika Nation.
If sustained, that sentiment could make the newly created Ika North-East State Constituency II one of the most closely watched political battlegrounds in Delta State during the 2027 general elections, with the electorate determined to let their individual votes, not political endorsements shape the future of their constituency.
