The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over what it described as his failure to attract electricity infrastructure projects to communities across the constituency.
The group challenged Aguocha to facilitate the provision of at least five electricity transformers for his constituents, citing reports that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is distributing 26 transformers to communities in Bende Federal Constituency.
In a statement titled “Hon. Obi Aguocha, Are You Not Ashamed? Ben Kalu Is Distributing 26 Transformers to Ndi Bende, Give Ndi Ikwuano/Umuahia Only Five!”, the group accused Aguocha of failing to prioritise electricity supply despite the challenges confronting residents and business owners.
According to the group, several communities in Ikwuano, Ubakala, Ohuhu and other parts of the constituency continue to experience electricity challenges, negatively affecting welders, barbers, cold-room operators and other small businesses.
The group questioned why Aguocha had allegedly failed to attract similar projects despite serving in the same legislative chamber as Kalu.
“While your colleague, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, is distributing 26 transformers to communities in Bende Federal Constituency, your own constituency, Ikwuano/Umuahia, is in darkness.
“In Ubakala, in Ohuhu, in Ikwuano, small businesses are dying because of no light. Welders, barbers and cold-room owners are crying. Where is your own transformer project?” the statement queried.
Mandate 27 Group estimated that the 26 transformers reportedly being distributed in Bende could be worth over N250 million, based on its projected cost of between N8 million and N12 million per 500KVA transformer.
It attributed Kalu’s reported intervention to effective legislative lobbying and engagement with relevant federal agencies, including the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The group consequently challenged Aguocha to publish details of electricity projects he has attracted to Ikwuano/Umuahia since assuming office.
“For three years and some months, what have you delivered in the power sector? Publish your list. If you have given five, show us the five communities. If you have given one, show us. If you have given zero, admit it,” the group stated.
The organisation further argued that federal lawmakers have opportunities to pursue constituency development projects through relevant government agencies, including the REA, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Federal Ministry of Power.
It maintained that effective representation should involve attracting projects capable of addressing the immediate needs of constituents, particularly electricity infrastructure.
The group also questioned Aguocha’s engagement with federal agencies responsible for rural electrification, asking whether he had formally approached the REA to seek interventions for communities in his constituency.
Mandate 27 Group further criticised what it described as Aguocha’s involvement in political confrontations on social media, urging him to concentrate on constituency development rather than exchanging accusations with political opponents.
It particularly condemned alleged remarks directed at former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji, and his son, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, describing such comments as disrespectful.
The group urged Aguocha to redirect his attention towards attracting electricity projects and monitoring federal interventions, including the Afugiri Health Centre project.
Speaking on its expectations, the organisation demanded five transformers for communities across the federal constituency.
“We are not even asking for 26. Give Ndi Ikwuano/Umuahia only five transformers: one in Ikwuano, one in Ohuhu, one in Ibeku, one in Olokoro and one in Afugiri. Just five, and we will manage and thank you,” the statement read.
The group subsequently declared its support for former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, popularly known as Ikuku, ahead of the 2027 general election.
It maintained that Orji possesses the political experience and capacity required to attract meaningful development projects to Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency.
According to the group, the constituency deserves a representative capable of effectively engaging federal institutions and securing projects that directly improve the living conditions of residents.
