The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over comments allegedly made by his supporters against former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji.

The group described claims that Orji has nothing to offer the constituency as misleading, insisting that the former Speaker possesses the legislative experience, political connections and record of performance required to provide effective representation at the National Assembly.

In a statement, the group also challenged Aguocha to account for two trailer loads of rice allegedly allocated to members of the House of Representatives by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for distribution to their constituents.

According to the group, while Orji has remained outside public office since June 2023, Aguocha currently receives salaries, allowances and other benefits attached to his position as a federal lawmaker.

The group questioned the whereabouts of the alleged rice allocation, citing a video in which a lawmaker representing Etsako reportedly acknowledged receiving a similar intervention.

“Who is feeding from public funds today? Chinedum Orji has been a private citizen since June 2023, while Aguocha currently occupies public office,” the group stated.

It challenged the federal lawmaker to provide a transparent account of constituency interventions and projects undertaken since assuming office.

The group further accused Aguocha of failing to address several infrastructure challenges across the constituency, including the Olokoro-Ahiaukwu-Amangwo-Umuajata Road, Iyi Umudere Bridge, Amaeke Ibeku erosion site and Ulonna South Farm Settlement in Ohuhu.

According to the statement, the Olokoro road project, identified as Contract 6063 and reportedly valued at over ₦204 million, has remained abandoned since 2010.

The group also criticised what it described as inadequate intervention at the Amaeke Ibeku erosion site, alleging that Aguocha’s visit on September 24, 2026, resulted in a ₦1.8 million donation rather than efforts to secure federal ecological funding.

It maintained that effective representation should go beyond project inspections and public appearances to include legislative advocacy, budgetary interventions and sustained engagement with relevant federal agencies.

Defending Orji’s political record, the group highlighted his tenure as Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2019 and Speaker from 2019 to 2023.

It argued that projects associated with his years in the state legislature, including mini-stadiums, electricity transformers and empowerment programmes, continued to benefit communities.

The group also defended collaborations between Orji and former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, explaining that cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government was essential for attracting development projects.

According to the statement, Orji’s experience would place him in a stronger position to pursue federal interventions if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.

It identified road rehabilitation, erosion control, agricultural development and improved access to federal constituency projects as areas requiring urgent attention.

Responding to claims that Orji’s ambition represented an attempt to perpetuate family dominance in Abia politics, the group insisted that no political office belonged permanently to any individual or family.

It also rejected suggestions that Aguocha’s seat was guaranteed until 2031, stressing that the electorate would determine who represents the constituency in the 2027 general election.

“Democracy is not family inheritance. No individual or family owns the constituency. Ndi Ikwuano/Umuahia will decide who represents them in 2027,” the group declared.

The Mandate 27 Group maintained that Orji’s previous legislative experience distinguished him from his political opponents, describing him as a candidate with institutional knowledge and the capacity to attract meaningful federal government interventions.

It further called for greater transparency in the management of constituency allocations and federal government interventions, particularly the alleged rice distribution.

The group, however, did not provide documentary evidence establishing that Aguocha personally received the two trailer loads of rice or diverted any portion of the alleged allocation.

Concluding, the group urged residents of Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency to assess candidates based on their records, experience and capacity to deliver development rather than political slogans.

“Chinedum Orji has something to offer: legislative experience, budget advocacy, institutional knowledge and visible antecedents,” the statement added.

The group expressed confidence that Orji would emerge victorious in the 2027 election, insisting that the constituency needed what it described as accountable and result-oriented representation.

The allegations against Aguocha remain unverified, and his response to the claims was not included in the statement.