I Don’t Do Political Noise” — Echodu Explains His Leadership Approach

National vice chairperson eastern Region and soroti City West flag bearer David Calvin Echodu has defended his perceived silence on some political issues, saying meaningful leadership should be measured by action rather than constant public commentary.

Speaking at a rally in Obutei A Cell, Arapai Ward, Echodu said he deliberately avoids what he described as “unnecessary political noise,” choosing instead to focus on practical work that delivers results to communities.

“You can not speak about development when you have not done anything,” Echodu said. “I believe in working first and speaking later. That is why I don’t engage in unnecessary political noise.”

Echodu criticized leaders who mislead the public by spreading falsehoods about government programs instead of helping communities understand and benefit from them.

“There is no need to vote for leaders who spend their time telling lies against government programs,” he said. “Government has many initiatives meant to help people, but poor leadership blocks communities from accessing them.”

He cited the persistent lack of electricity in Arapai as an example of leadership failure, blaming the situation on poor prioritization by the opposition-dominated administration in Soroti City.

“The absence of power here is not accidental. It is a result of poor leadership that has failed to lobby and prioritize service delivery,” Echodu said. “Arapai deserves better.”

He pledged to work closely with central government and relevant agencies to ensure Arapai and other underserved areas receive electricity, improved infrastructure, and better social services.

Echodu’s remarks came as leaders in Arapai Ward under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) publicly endorsed his candidature, saying the community wants to benefit from government development programs and improved service delivery.

Speaking at the rally, Emmanuel Egadu, the NRM LCI flag bearer for Arapai, said residents had unanimously agreed to rally behind Echodu after wide consultations among party structures and community leaders.

“We have agreed as Arapai people to vote for David Echodu because we want development, and we want to benefit from government programs,” Egadu said. “It makes no sense to remain in opposition when our people are suffering, and yet government programs are there to uplift communities.”

Egadu presented key community demands to Echodu, with electricity connectivity topping the list. He said the lack of power has severely affected youth livelihoods by limiting opportunities for skills development, small businesses, and value addition.

He also urged Echodu to consider offering scholarships to academically gifted but underprivileged students in the area, noting that many bright learners drop out due to lack of school fees.

In his response, Echodu thanked the people of Arapai for their endorsement, saying it reflected growing frustration with empty rhetoric and a strong desire for tangible development.