Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has responded to comments attributed to the incumbent member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over alleged political dominance by one family.
Orji spoke during a meeting with community women leaders from Ikwuano/Umuahia in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, where he said he had deliberately avoided engaging in what he described as a campaign of personal attacks.
According to him, political campaigns should be issue-based and focused on what candidates have done for the people.
“I have tried everything not to join that train because I believe campaign is purely issue-based. But for clarity, I will respond to some people,” Orji said.
Reacting to claims that one family had allegedly dominated political positions in the constituency, the former Speaker challenged those making the allegation to consider the political positions held by members of their own families.
He alleged that the brother of the person making the claim is currently a councillor, while his in-law had previously served as Commissioner for Environment and later Commissioner for Finance in Abia State and is currently a member of a campaign council.
“They said one family has taken everything. They said one family wants to be in power. But the person saying that, his in-law was a former Commissioner for Environment and later became Commissioner for Finance in Abia State and presently a member of the campaign council. His brother is currently a councillor. The same family,” Orji said.
On allegations concerning transformers allegedly procured or distributed during his time in office, Orji dismissed the claims and said the transformers were still in various communities and serving residents.
“They said I collected transformers and gave them to communities. It is a lie. Those transformers are there, even in Ohuhu where he comes from,” he said.
Orji further claimed that about 32 transformers were provided to communities and challenged Aguocha to publicly identify similar projects he had facilitated for constituents.
“I didn’t even know that we gave out about 32 transformers, and all of them are still there and serving our people, including Ohuhu people,” he said.
He added: “He should show us five transformers he gave to his people. He was sent to Abuja and he came back with a walking stick and nothing else.”
The APC candidate also called on the women leaders to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates during the forthcoming elections.
His comments come amid heightened political activities in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, with candidates and their supporters highlighting their records and making competing claims about representation and development in the constituency.
