The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over the alleged abandonment and deteriorating condition of Oriendu Community Primary School, Ubaha, in Oriendu Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement titled “Orie Ndu Community Primary School, Ubaha, Umuawa Ohuhu: The Classroom Where Tomorrow Was Murdered,” the group expressed concern over what it described as the deplorable state of the school, alleging that the facility had become deserted following years of neglect.
According to the group, the school buildings have suffered extensive damage, including blown-off roofs, cracked walls and collapsed structures, allegedly forcing pupils out of their classrooms and disrupting academic activities.
The group questioned why Aguocha, whom it described as a son of Ohuhu, had allegedly failed to facilitate federal intervention towards rehabilitating the school despite representing the constituency at the National Assembly.
It argued that the lawmaker could explore intervention opportunities through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Federal Ministry of Education, constituency projects and other relevant federal agencies to restore the facility.
The group stated that the condition of the school raised serious concerns about the quality of representation being provided to communities within the constituency.
Mandate 27 Group also challenged Aguocha over his reported statement during an appearance on Rapid FM that he would not give his constituents what he could not give his own children.
The group questioned whether the lawmaker would allow his children to attend a school in the condition allegedly found at Oriendu Community Primary School.
While acknowledging Aguocha’s reported scholarship programme benefiting 700 students in tertiary institutions, the group maintained that investment in primary education should receive equal attention.
According to the statement, providing scholarships for tertiary education without addressing the challenges facing basic education would undermine efforts to improve educational opportunities for children in rural communities.
The group further accused the lawmaker of paying greater attention to publicised project inspections in Amaeke Ibeku and Ofeke Ibeku while allegedly neglecting critical infrastructure challenges in Ohuhu.
It listed other communities and facilities allegedly suffering infrastructure deficiencies, including Umuakam Nkwoegwu, Umunemeze Nkwoegwu and the access road to the Federal College of Education, Ofeme.
The group called on Aguocha to facilitate the rehabilitation of Oriendu Community Primary School through relevant federal intervention programmes, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and South East Development Commission (SEDC).
It specifically demanded the construction of classroom blocks, provision of toilets, fencing and other facilities necessary to restore teaching and learning activities in the school.
Mandate 27 Group maintained that residents of Oriendu Ohuhu were not demanding political speeches but practical interventions that would enable their children to return to a conducive learning environment.
The group further questioned Aguocha’s suitability for a second term in 2027, arguing that his performance should be assessed based on the condition of public infrastructure and the impact of his representation on constituents.
It subsequently declared support for former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, as its preferred candidate for the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
The group insisted that restoring the school should be treated as an urgent priority, warning that continued neglect of basic education facilities could jeopardise the future of children in the affected communities.
