Despite billions in allocations, Njaba LG Chairman yet to deliver on key promises to widows, youths.

In a political climate where “results-driven leadership” is often touted, the performance of Hon. Chief Vitalis Ugochukwu Obi, JP, Executive Chairman of Njaba LGA, is drawing sharp questions from constituents who say the gap between fanfare and fulfillment has become too wide to ignore.

Obi, popularly called Etiokwe Njaba, has branded his administration as one “grounded not in promises, but in visible and measurable impact.” On April 11, 2026, stakeholders including Senator Osita Izunaso, House of Reps members, and the Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, gathered to commission projects and praised his work. Izunaso commended his “sacrifices for the people,” while Iwuanyanwu declared, “Eti, I’m proud of you.”

Yet for some Njaba residents, the applause rings hollow; unfulfilled pledges to grieving families. The most stinging criticism comes from Uba Umuaka community, after four security men were shot dead on duty by yet-to-be-identified gunmen; Etiokwe visited Umuaka and publicly promised ₦1 million to each of the widows. Months later, not one widow has received a kobo.

“He came, consoled us, and made that promise in front of everyone. Till date, nothing,” said a family member of one of the slain officers who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

Last December, the Chairman reportedly collected account numbers from youth leaders across Njaba, promising funds to grade rural roads before the rainy season. Eight months on, no money has been sent and the roads remain impassable.

“We submitted our details in good faith. We mobilized boys to wait for the equipment. Nothing happened,” one youth leader said.

While Njaba LGA’s exact monthly share is not published, Imo State’s federal allocation has risen sharply under the current administration. State officials note that Imo’s FAAC receipts jumped from ₦5 billion monthly in 2020 to between ₦12–₦14 billion monthly in 2025. Local governments take a statutory percentage of that figure, in addition to Internally Generated Revenue that the state says has grown from ₦400 million to nearly ₦4 billion monthly.

With that level of inflow, critics say it is shocking that ₦4 million for four bereaved widows and funds for community road grading cannot be found.

“Leadership is measured by results,” Etiokwe’s media team often states. By that standard, Uba widows and Njaba youth leaders are asking: where are the results?

To his credit, Etiokwe’s administration points to projects commissioned in April and “strong collaboration with the legislative arm.” His supporters dismiss criticism as “coordinated attempts to discredit” him, noting that he “remains calm and focused” rather than engaging distractions.

But governance is not measured by who claps at commissioning ceremonies. It is measured by whether a widow who lost her husband in service can feed her children, and whether a promise made to young people in December is kept before August.

In Njaba today, residents say the slogan “Carry Go Omere Njaba Juo Oyi” will only make sense when promises stop dying at the podium.

Efforts to reach Chief Vitalis Obi for comment were unsuccessful at press time.