The Action Peoples Party (APP) senatorial candidate for Owerri Zone, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has declared that Imo women have suffered enough, accusing successive governments of transferring responsibilities for basic amenities to communities already struggling with economic hardship.
Amadi made the assertion while continuing his engagements with women at the ongoing 2026 August Meeting across communities in Imo State.
He visited Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Amakohia Uratta in Owerri North and Umuevu Okirika Nweke in Ahiazu Mbaise, where he commended women for their contributions to family and community development despite what he described as worsening poverty and economic hardship.
Speaking at the August Meeting of women under the Federation of Orodo Autonomous Communities, Amadi said it was unacceptable for women to shoulder the responsibilities of feeding their families, paying school fees and meeting household needs while also contributing money for water, health centres, town halls and other basic infrastructure.
“My mothers, you have suffered enough. You have carried your families on your shoulders, trained your children, supported your husbands and sustained our communities,” he said.
“Yet, after doing all these, you are still expected to contribute money to provide water, maintain health centres, build town halls and provide other basic amenities. This burden is too much. Government should be making life easier for you, not transferring its responsibilities to you.”
Amadi commended the women of Orodo for their resilience and contributions to community development but expressed concern that community self-help had increasingly become a substitute for effective governance.
He argued that while community contributions remained important, they should complement government intervention rather than provide an excuse for government to abandon its responsibilities.
In support of the women’s development initiatives, particularly the expansion of their ICT centre, Amadi announced a donation of ₦5 million.
He said investment in digital skills would create opportunities for women and young people to improve their livelihoods and contribute more effectively to the local economy.
Responding, the President-General of the Federation of Orodo Autonomous Communities, Nneoma Stella Egbuchulem, expressed appreciation to Amadi for identifying with the women and supporting their development efforts.
At Amakohia Uratta in Owerri North LGA, Amadi attended the August Meeting of the Nzuko Ndom Amakohia Uratta Association, themed “Women Empowerment: A Stepping Stone to a Greater Tomorrow.”
The President-General of the association, Lady Sylvia Ugochi Ajuruchi, highlighted some of the women’s achievements during the year, including the reactivation and refurbishment of the community borehole water system and the establishment of an interest-free revolving loan scheme.
Amadi praised the women for their efforts, noting that their achievements demonstrated the important role women play in sustaining communities.
“My mothers, when I listen to the things you have achieved—the borehole you restored, the revolving loan scheme you established and the other projects you are undertaking—I ask myself: what would have happened to our communities without our women?” he said.
He, however, urged the women to demand greater accountability from government, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, women who regularly purchase food, pay school fees, hospital bills and transportation costs are in the best position to assess whether government policies are improving their lives.
“You are the ones who go to the market every day. You know how much a cup of garri costs. You know the price of rice. You pay school fees, hospital bills and transportation costs. Nobody needs to tell you whether life is getting better or worse,” Amadi said.
He subsequently announced a donation of ₦2 million to support the development initiatives of the Amakohia Uratta women.
From Owerri North, Amadi proceeded to Umuevu Okirika Nweke in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, where he met with mothers and members of the Women Wing of the Umuevu Okirika Nweke Development Union during their August Meeting.
He commended the women for their ongoing town hall project and described their efforts as another demonstration of the resilience and commitment of Imo women to community development.
Amadi announced a further ₦1 million donation towards the town hall project.
He maintained that community development should be a partnership between government and the people, rather than a situation where communities are left to provide virtually all basic amenities themselves.
Drawing together his message from the three communities, Amadi said Imo women deserved a future in which government would reduce their burdens rather than increase them.
“My mothers, I have not come here just to ask for your support. I have come to tell you that things can be better. You have suffered enough and carried this burden for too long,” he said.
He expressed hope for a future where women could trade and prosper, children could access quality education, health centres would function effectively and communities would have access to basic amenities.
Amadi was accompanied during the engagements by members of his party and campaign organisation, including Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director-General; Rt. Hon. Michael Crown Njoku; Cajetan Duke; Prof. Uche Nwosu; Amb. Steve Nnadi; Comrade Isdore Chukwuemeka; Lady Nneka Chukwu; Hon. Mrs. Chinasa Ogu; Chief Brint Akomas; Comrade Obioma Onwuegbucha; Chief Uju Ugochukwu; and Hon. Mrs. Ndidi Onyemechi, among others.
