Uche Ohiri

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Uche Ohiri

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 2, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

University of Calabar, 1984

Graduate

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 2004

Other

The Nigerian Law School, 1985

Personal

Religion

Roman Catholic

Profession

Family Nurse Practitioner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Uche Ohiri ran for election to the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education to represent District 5 in New Mexico. She lost in the general election on November 2, 2021.

Ohiri completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Uche Ohiri was born in Enugu, Nigeria. She earned a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Calabar in 1984 and an LLB from the Nigerian Law School in 1985. She also earned an MPA from the University of New Mexico in 2004. Ohiri’s career experience includes working as a family nurse practitioner. As of 2021, she was a member of the City of Albuquerque’s Human Rights Board, and she has volunteered at Peralta Elementary School Los Lunas, Cochiti Elementary, and New Futures School.

Ohiri has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• NM Koats for Kids
• Igbo Union of New Mexico, former secretary and vice president
• Pastoral Council of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Church Albuquerque, member

Elections

2021

See also: Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico, elections (2021)

General election

General election for Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education District 5

Crystal Tapia-Romero defeated Emma Jones and Uche Ohiri in the general election for Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education District 5 on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Crystal Tapia-Romero (Nonpartisan)	53.3	6,103
		Emma Jones (Nonpartisan)	27.4	3,137
		Uche Ohiri (Nonpartisan)	19.3	2,214

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,454
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Ohiri's endorsements in the 2021 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Uche Ohiri completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ohiri's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Uche M. Ohiri, and I am proud to be running for the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education in District 5. I am running because I believe public education is a fundamental human right. I want to be a board member to help our schools improve graduation rates, make our schools safer places for our children, and ensure our educators have every resource available to succeed. I am a strong Democrat, a healthcare professional, a proud mother of two adult children and a 24-year member of my Westside ABQ community!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am running to improve graduation rates in our local schools,
• Improve school safety, and healthy learning environment
• Improve on educators and support staff wages

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The areas of public policy I am personally passionate about are the equitable distribution of government funds to all communities and diversity and Inclusive governance.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

“Laudato Si” by Pope Francis
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have the grit and I can speak truth to power.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Nigeria -Biafara Civil War of 1967 -1970. I was 5 years old

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe because it talks about the ills of defragmentation of society by the colonial forces.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary job of a School Board member is to be attentive to the concerns of the constituents, ensure equitable use of the organizational funds, and advocate for all, especially for those who cannot speak for themselves. The roles of an APS Board member are well-defined but I plan to adhere to the philosophies I laid out at the beginning of this question in every decision I make as an elected official.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are the children that attend APS schools, the educators who work in our schools, the parents of APS students, and the community as a whole. Whether you have a child in APS schools or not, the quality of public education in our communities affects every single one of us.

What role do you imagine technology playing in (and outside) the classroom in the future? How would you prepare the district for this?

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the serious connectivity issues facing APS’s students and families. Significant investment must be made in expanding broadband capabilities to all students by investing in free Wi-Fi and infrastructure to connect our communities. Once we bridge this digital divide, then we are able to unlock a world of possibilities for all students using the latest technologies in a safe, inclusive way.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2021 Elections

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Candidate

Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education District 5

Website

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