The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over what it described as his failure to deliver meaningful projects and effective representation since assuming office in 2023.
In a strongly worded statement, the group accused Aguocha of attempting to divert attention from questions surrounding his performance by challenging constituents to identify the achievements of his predecessors.
According to the group, the lawmaker’s reported demand that constituents should show him what previous representatives accomplished amounts to an admission of poor performance.
“When a sitting representative turns to his own constituents and says, ‘Show me what my predecessors did,’ he is not defending a record. He is hiding the absence of one,” the group stated.
Mandate 27 argued that rather than questioning the achievements of former lawmakers, Aguocha should present a comprehensive account of his legislative activities, constituency projects and interventions since his election.
The group also raised allegations concerning the distribution of palliatives intended for vulnerable residents of the constituency, calling on the lawmaker to provide clarification over claims that some relief materials were allegedly hoarded or sold.
Highlighting the records of previous representatives, the group recalled that Hon. Iheanacho Obioma, who represented the constituency between 1999 and 2003, played a role in the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and chaired the relevant committee in the House of Representatives.
It also referenced the tenures of Hon. Emeka Atuma, who served between 2003 and 2007, and Hon. Udo Ibeji, who represented the constituency between 2011 and 2015.
The group particularly highlighted the achievements it attributed to Hon. Samuel Onuigbo, who represented the constituency from 2015 to 2023.
According to Mandate 27, Onuigbo facilitated interventions on the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Federal Road, attracted an erosion-control project valued at over ₦400 million at Amachara in Umuahia South, and supported flood and erosion-control projects along the Okwe–Obuohia Obi-Ibere road.
Other achievements credited to the former lawmaker included water projects in Obunta Oboro, Inyila Ibere, Obuohia Ibere and Avonkwu Ibeku, as well as youth and women empowerment programmes.
The group further cited Onuigbo’s sponsorship of the Climate Change Bill and his involvement in efforts towards the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Abia State.
Mandate 27 challenged Aguocha to publicly disclose the number of bills he has sponsored, federal projects attracted to the constituency and employment opportunities facilitated since 2023.
“Where is your scorecard? How many bills have you sponsored? How many federal projects have you attracted to Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South? Where are the roads, the erosion sites and the jobs?” the group queried.
The group maintained that the alleged shortcomings of the incumbent lawmaker were responsible for what it described as growing support for former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the group, constituents are increasingly identifying with Orji because of his previous legislative experience and leadership record.
It dismissed suggestions that the growing support for the former Speaker was driven by political sentiment, insisting that residents were seeking more effective representation at the National Assembly.
“The people did not wake up one morning hating you. You gave them reason after reason: no scorecard, no impact, and now a plea to compare you with men who actually delivered,” the statement read.
Mandate 27 expressed confidence that the 2027 election would provide constituents with an opportunity to assess Aguocha’s performance and determine the future of their representation.
The group insisted that the constituency was ready for a change in leadership, declaring that the political momentum was shifting towards Chinedum Orji.
The allegations and assessments contained in the statement represent the position of Mandate 27 Group and have not been independently verified. Aguocha’s response to the criticisms was not included in the statement.
