The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over his handling of issues surrounding the incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group claimed that flyers allegedly circulated in Ohuhu, Aguocha’s political stronghold, expressed dissatisfaction with his involvement in Kanu’s legal and political struggles.
In a statement, the group alleged that the flyers accused the federal lawmaker of adopting an approach characterised by excessive publicity and social media activities rather than strategic political engagement.
According to the group, the flyers carried a message accusing Aguocha of worsening Kanu’s situation through what they described as political inexperience and unnecessary publicity.
“Your inexperience and social media razzmatazz caused Mazi Nnamdi Kanu woes. Mazi was having a good case in the courts until you got involved and sent him to prison. We will never forget,” the statement quoted the flyers as saying.
The Mandate 27 Group described the alleged development as a sign of growing dissatisfaction with Aguocha’s representation, particularly among constituents in his Ohuhu political base.
The group argued that sensitive national issues involving Kanu required diplomacy, political negotiations and sustained engagement with relevant federal authorities rather than public declarations and social media publicity.
It recalled the October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment discharging Kanu and questioned whether subsequent political interventions had contributed meaningfully towards securing a resolution of his legal challenges.
The group, however, did not provide evidence establishing a direct connection between Aguocha’s activities and the outcome of Kanu’s legal proceedings.
According to the statement, efforts towards securing a political solution should involve consultations with the Presidency, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and relevant national security institutions.
The group further accused Aguocha of attempting to exploit public sympathy surrounding Kanu’s incarceration for political advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It maintained that elected representatives should prioritise meaningful engagement and measurable results over activities designed primarily to attract public attention.
Beyond the controversy surrounding Kanu, the Mandate 27 Group also questioned Aguocha’s performance in constituency development, citing concerns about infrastructure, educational facilities and the implementation of projects.
The group specifically mentioned the condition of Mbator Primary School and raised questions about projects allegedly included in the lawmaker’s performance records.
It also challenged claims concerning the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, arguing that the project falls under federal infrastructure arrangements rather than being solely attributable to the lawmaker.
The group maintained that constituents deserved transparent accounts of completed projects, legislative achievements and interventions undertaken since Aguocha assumed office.
Speaking further on the alleged flyers, the Mandate 27 Group described their emergence in Ohuhu as politically significant, claiming that dissatisfaction within a lawmaker’s traditional support base could influence future electoral outcomes.
It argued that the development should serve as a warning against what it described as the politicisation of Kanu’s incarceration.
The group insisted that the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency needed a representative capable of combining effective legislative performance with strategic political engagement on sensitive national issues.
It concluded that the alleged protest reflected growing demands for accountability, political maturity and improved representation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegations against Aguocha, including claims that his activities contributed to Kanu’s legal difficulties, remain unsubstantiated. The statement also did not establish that the flyers represented the collective position of Ohuhu constituents.
