Labour Party candidate for the Owerri Federal Constituency in the coming election into the House of Representatives, Dr Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has launched a new developmental drive for the constituency.
Tagged “The New Deal”, the governance and representation framework aimes at strengthening collaboration among federal and state lawmakers to drive coordinated development in Owerri Federal Constituency.
Dr Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of Ondo State departed Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, disclosed this in a policy statement shared with reporters.
Particularly, the document proposed a shift away from what she described as fragmented legislative representation, where federal, state, and local government actors operate independently with limited synergy.
She said this lack of coordination has contributed to duplication of efforts, weak advocacy for development projects, and limited impact on grassroots communities.
According to her, a more collaborative model between the member representing Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and lawmakers representing Owerri West, Owerri North, and Owerri Municipal constituencies in the Imo State House of Assembly would significantly improve development outcomes.
“The New Deal is built on a simple but powerful principle: collaboration between federal and state legislators can unlock transformative socio-economic development at the grassroots.”
Under the proposed framework, lawmakers would jointly identify community priorities, harmonize legislative advocacy and pursue coordinated interventions across key sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and security.
She emphasized that residents are less concerned about whether development projects originate from Abuja or Owerri, but are more interested in tangible improvements in their daily lives.
“Development has no political boundaries,” she said, adding that roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and economic opportunities should be evenly distributed across communities.
The initiative also proposes periodic strategy meetings among elected representatives to review ongoing projects, assess community needs, and develop a shared legislative agenda with measurable outcomes.
Describing the model as a shift from individualistic to collective representation, she said: “One voice advocating in Abuja is good. Multiple voices advocating in Abuja and Owerri simultaneously is even better.”
Beyond infrastructure and economic concerns, the candidate also highlighted insecurity, unemployment, youth restiveness, and poverty as challenges requiring coordinated responses across all levels of government.
Dr Anyanwu-Akeredolu further stressed the importance of inclusive governance and increased participation of women in leadership, stating that gender should not be a barrier to public service.
“A society that excludes women from leadership denies itself half of its talent, creativity, and potential,” she said, adding that greater female participation would strengthen democracy and governance outcomes.
The candidate described the “New Deal” as not just a political agenda, but a broader governance philosophy aimed at promoting accountability, collaboration, and measurable development impact.
She expressed optimism that the approach, if adopted, would usher in what she called “a new era of partnership” in representation and development planning for Owerri Federal Constituency.
