Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the Labour Party candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, has called for issue-based politics, urging political actors to prioritise development, effective representation and peaceful competition over bitterness and hostility.

She made the call on Sunday, October 25, 2026, while presenting her political manifesto at an event organised by Saved by Grace Mission International Incorporated.

Other candidates invited to the event included Hon. Philip Ejiogu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Citizen Akirika of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), who was represented by Ikenna Samuelson.

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the cordial interaction among the candidates, despite their different political affiliations and shared ambition to represent the constituency, demonstrated that political competition could take place without animosity.

She said the people of Owerri Federal Constituency deserved effective representation that would translate political promises into tangible improvements in their lives.

Speaking in Igbo and the Owerri dialect, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu presented her eight-pillar agenda, outlining priorities covering infrastructure, security, healthcare, education, economic development, effective representation and gender equity.

A major focus of her manifesto was the completion of the Ihiagwa–Emeabiam Road, which she said remained unfinished after construction reportedly stopped at Eziobodo during the administration of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

She recalled that, while serving as First Lady of Ondo State, she had drawn the attention of the then Imo State governor to the need to tar the road.

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu pledged to pursue the completion of the project through legislative engagement and sustained advocacy if elected, describing the road as critical to unlocking the economic potential of the area.

She also called for the rehabilitation and productive utilisation of the Emeabiam rubber estate, which she said covered more than 2,000 hectares but remained underutilised.

According to her, revitalising the estate and exploring the tourism potential of the confluence of the Oramurukwa and Otamiri rivers could stimulate economic activities, create jobs and provide opportunities for local businesses.

She added that improved road infrastructure would facilitate access to schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services while supporting small businesses and local enterprises.

On security, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu described peace as a prerequisite for sustainable development, noting that insecurity threatened farming, education, commerce and community life.

She pledged to advocate a comprehensive security framework incorporating effective state policing, modern technology, intelligence gathering and community participation.

The Labour Party candidate also stressed the need to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across communities in the constituency, with particular attention to maternal and child health.

She called for adequately equipped primary healthcare centres, qualified medical personnel and reliable referral systems to reduce preventable deaths, especially among pregnant women and children.

On the responsibilities of elected representatives, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu said public infrastructure development should not depend on the personal finances of lawmakers.

She explained that her approach would focus on legislation, oversight, constituency representation and strategic advocacy to ensure that Owerri Federal Constituency received its fair share of public resources and development projects.

She cited her 28 years in the Federal Civil Service, more than three decades of civil society engagement, work with three non-governmental organisations and experience as the wife of a former governor as assets that would support her legislative ambition.

According to her, these experiences had equipped her with institutional knowledge and the capacity to build relationships across professional, ethnic and political divides in pursuit of development.

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu also advocated greater female participation in elective politics, arguing that women remained underrepresented despite their contributions to education, the economy and community development.

She urged voters to give qualified women a fair opportunity to occupy political offices, describing gender equity as a matter of fairness, inclusion and the effective utilisation of society’s human resources.

She called on voters to assess candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections based on their experience, competence, credibility and commitment to public service rather than political rhetoric.

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu maintained that candidates could belong to different political parties and compete for the same office without becoming enemies, insisting that the ultimate objective of politics should be the welfare and development of the people.

She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating improved infrastructure, accessible healthcare, security, economic opportunities and inclusive representation in Owerri Federal Constituency.