05/10/2026
🚨 NJABA WARD PROJECT CHALLENGE: ONLY THREE COUNCILLORS REMAIN AS PHYSICAL VERIFICATION BEGINS
From funding controversy to public scorecard, Atta Ward 2, Nkume and Okwudor yet to showcase projects
The Ward Project Challenge initiated by the Member representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Barr. Harryson Nwadike, has entered another decisive stage with only three councillors reportedly remaining to showcase their constituency projects.
The three outstanding councillors are those representing Atta Ward 2, Nkume Ward and Okwudor Ward.
The development comes after the project challenge generated considerable interest across Njaba, particularly following the earlier question raised by Hon. Protus Adikibe Duru, Councillor representing Umuaka Ward 2, over whether the assessment would be fair given the different amounts he claimed were received by councillors for their projects.
Hon. Duru had questioned how the results could be justified if councillors were not equally funded stating that while some councillors allegedly received ₦4 million or ₦4.5 million, his ward received ₦2.8 million.
The funding issue has now received a further clarification from a councillor who provided a breakdown of the funds released for ward projects.
According to the clarification which was verified by umuaka News24, the State Government released ₦5 million to each councillor for constituency projects and after tax and VAT deductions the amount received by each councillor was stated to be ₦4.375 million.
The Local Government was also said to have provided ₦4.5 million for ward projects with ₦4.275 million reportedly released after VAT.
The councillor explained that the assessment should therefore be based on the common funding structure applicable to the councillors.
He further disclosed that, in his own case, the State Government allocation was used to purchase, mount and energise a transformer at a stated cost of ₦10.650 million, while the Local Government allocation was used to rehabilitate a drainage system in his ward.
The councillor also addressed the situation involving Umuaka Ward 2, explaining that Hon. Protus Duru received the ₦4.375 million State Government allocation but did not receive the complete Local Government ward-project allocation because he was under suspension at the time.
He stated that efforts were being made to establish the exact amount already released for Umuaka Ward 2 after which the outstanding balance would be released.
The figures and explanations remain statements from the councillor and are subject to confirmation from official financial and council records.
The project challenge itself originated from a wider controversy surrounding the affairs of the Njaba Local Government Council.
Umuaka News24 had earlier reported on what it described as a zero scorecard for the Local Government Chairman as well as concerns surrounding outstanding entitlements reportedly owed to councillors.
Following the publication, aides of the Local Government Chairman appeared on radio to challenge the reports, although the Chairman himself had not publicly responded at the time of the earlier report.
The radio intervention triggered reactions from members of the legislative council, eventually leading to calls for councillors to publicly demonstrate what they had achieved with funds allocated for projects in their respective wards.
That challenge subsequently transformed into a public project showcase involving councillors across Njaba.
The organisers had set the deadline for councillors to showcase their projects before voting commenced.
Voting was scheduled to run from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday October 3, until midnight on Sunday yesterday October 4, 2026.
The councillor whose project receives the highest number of votes is expected to win the prize announced by Hon. Nwadike — 30 solar street lights for the winning ward and ₦200,000 personal prize for the winning councillor.
With the voting stage concluded, attention has now shifted to physical verification.
The verification exercise is scheduled for today Monday October 5, 2026, with a team headed by Chief Chukwudi Egeuka, APC Chairman of Njaba LGA.
Other members of the verification team are Nnaemeka Nkume,
APC Woman Leader Amucha,
Ben Osigwe — Atta,
Chimezie Duruobioma — Okwudor,
Chief Chukwudi Egeuka — Umuaka
According to the organisers, ₦50,000 will be provided for fuel/logistics for the LGA party chairman's vehicle while another ₦50,000 will be provided for refreshments for the verification team, bringing the total logistics provision to ₦100,000.
The final verdict is expected to be contained in a joint communiqué from the verification team on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, on or before 12 noon.
What started as a disagreement over councillors' entitlements and the management of local government affairs has now developed into a public examination of projects executed at the grassroots.
The development has also raised a broader question among constituents:
*If councillors are being asked to publicly account for funds received and projects executed, should the same standard of accountability not apply to every elected public office holder in Njaba?*
Questions have consequently been raised about the projects and expenditure of the Local Government Chairman, House of Assembly member and House of Representatives member representing the people.
For many constituents, the emerging lesson is that political representation should increasingly be judged by what is physically delivered to the people, rather than political promises alone.
Umuaka News24 will continue to monitor the physical verification exercise and report the outcome of the process.
We also reiterate our position that the assessment should be based on verifiable projects, available funding records, quality of ex*****on and actual benefit to the people, while allowing every councillor the opportunity to explain their own circumstances.
The ultimate winner should not merely be the person who wins a popularity contest within APC circle but the representative whose project can withstand physical verification and public scrutiny.
Umuaka News24 reporting.
Follow Umuaka News24 for updates.
