— Says Constituency Projects Spread Across Southern Ijaw, Warns Against “Opposition From Within”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!High Chief Abaye Ambaiowei, a critical stakeholder in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has defended the performance of the member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Engr. Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei.
Ambaiowei spoke in an exclusive interview with EMTV News Editor-in-Chief, Comrade Robinson Erebi, against the backdrop of a social media post attributed to an APC member and political office holder who had criticised the federal lawmaker, who is seeking re-election in the 2027 general elections.
The APC chieftain described as misplaced the criticism of an elected representative by a member holding an office within the same political party, arguing that such conduct could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, Rodney Ambaiowei’s interventions are visible across the four constituencies that make up Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency.
“The footprints of what Rodney has done is everywhere,” Ambaiowei said.
He listed the lawmaker’s reported interventions to include the installation of solar-powered street lights in rural communities, school renovations, provision of school desks and exercise books, empowerment programmes, skills acquisition initiatives, fishing nets and starter packs for beneficiaries, as well as health-related interventions.
Ambaiowei said the projects had been distributed across Constituencies One to Four, stressing that communities and beneficiaries could attest to the impact of the interventions.
He particularly cited empowerment activities in Oporoma and Anyama, where, according to him, fishing nets and starter packs were distributed to members of the community.
The APC chieftain also defended the lawmaker’s legislative performance, urging critics and members of the public to examine his record in the National Assembly.
“Rodney has done well, as far as I am concerned. Within the limit of what he has gotten since he got there in the House, he has performed very well, very excellently well in terms of legislative business,” he stated.
He noted that raising motions and participating in legislative business were among the primary responsibilities of a federal legislator, urging those seeking the lawmaker’s scorecard to examine his legislative record rather than rely solely on social media commentaries.
Projects Should Benefit Communities’
Responding to questions on whether some constituents preferred personal financial assistance to community-oriented projects, Ambaiowei argued that sustainable development should not be reduced to the distribution of cash.
He said the lawmaker had also responded to individual needs within his capacity, citing cases involving medical emergencies, house rents and other forms of personal assistance.
“The problem with us is this issue of, ‘I need cash, I need cash.’ No, we can’t build society,” he said.
Ambaiowei further disclosed that Rodney Ambaiowei had undertaken health interventions on two occasions, including free medical diagnosis, provision of eyeglasses and referrals for further treatment.
He maintained that community projects such as schools, lighting and health interventions had broader benefits because they serve several people rather than individuals alone.
Warns Against ‘Opposition From Within’
The APC chieftain expressed concern over what he described as the tendency of some party members to criticise elected representatives produced by the party.
He questioned the implication of such conduct for the APC’s prospects in the 2027 elections.
“It’s appalling that somebody who is holding office in our party will be criticizing the people elected under our party,” Ambaiowei said.
He argued that while opposition parties were expected to scrutinise the performance of APC elected officials, party members should be mindful of public statements that could undermine the party’s candidates.
According to him, internal disagreements should not translate into actions capable of weakening the party’s electoral prospects.
Calls for APC Unity Ahead of 2027
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Ambaiowei called on APC members to close ranks and work collectively for the success of the party’s candidates.
He said the emergence of candidates through the party’s primary elections should mark the beginning of collective mobilisation rather than internal opposition.
“Those who are party members should behave like party members. If you want to play opposition party, you can leave the APC party and go to another party and play opposition party,” he stated.
Ambaiowei expressed confidence that the APC would perform strongly in the 2027 elections, from the presidential to the National Assembly and State House of Assembly contests.
He called for unity among party members, saying the party must remain focused on winning the forthcoming elections.
“We must be united to go to the 2027 election,” he stressed.
The interview forms part of EMTV News’ continuing coverage of political developments and stakeholder perspectives ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in Bayelsa State and Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency.
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