Group calls for investigation, demands apology over alleged ‘go back to Ebonyi’ remark

The Mandate 27 Group has accused the camp of the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, of promoting ethnic profiling following an alleged remark directing an Abia resident of Ebonyi origin to return to his state.

In a statement issued by the group, the controversy reportedly followed questions raised by Ikechukwu Kelvin Okorie over the lawmaker’s accountability regarding two trailers of Federal Government palliative rice allocated to members of the National Assembly in 2023.

The group alleged that Promise Nwokocha, identified as Aguocha’s media aide, told Okorie to “go back to Ebonyi” after he questioned the lawmaker’s handling of the palliative rice and urged him to emulate the developmental initiatives attributed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, in Bende Federal Constituency.

Describing the alleged remark as discriminatory, the group argued that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to reside, work and participate in the affairs of any part of the country, irrespective of state of origin.

It cited Sections 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of movement and prohibit discrimination on grounds including ethnic group and place of origin.

The group maintained that non-indigenes contribute significantly to Umuahia’s economic activities through trade, commerce, labour and payment of taxes and levies, warning against statements capable of creating division among residents.

PALLIATIVE RICE CONTROVERSY

The Mandate 27 Group said the controversy began when citizens sought clarification on the distribution of Federal Government palliative rice reportedly allocated to lawmakers in 2023 to cushion the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal.

It alleged that Hon. Aguocha had yet to provide verifiable details of the distribution of the rice allocated to him.

The group also referenced allegations that some of the rice was sold to a businessman from Anambra State, but provided no documentary evidence to substantiate the claim in its statement.

It called on the lawmaker to publicly clarify the distribution process and make relevant records available to constituents.

ACCUSES LAWMAKER’S CAMP OF DOUBLE STANDARDS

The group further accused Aguocha’s camp of inconsistency, recalling the lawmaker’s previous criticisms of alleged discrimination against Igbo residents and businesses in Lagos.

According to the statement, the lawmaker had previously condemned the use of the host-community argument to undermine constitutional rights.

The group questioned why similar arguments would allegedly be deployed against an Ebonyi-born resident living in Abia.

It warned that ethnic profiling could undermine peaceful coexistence, particularly in a constituency that accommodates Nigerians from different ethnic and state backgrounds.

QUESTIONS OVER CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS

The statement also raised concerns about the performance of the lawmaker, questioning the status of projects reportedly associated with his representation.

Among the projects mentioned were the proposed Afugiri Health Centre, 15 classroom blocks and a proposed Federal Medical Centre for Ikwuano.

The group alleged that these projects had yet to produce the expected results and called for greater transparency regarding their implementation.

It contrasted the situation with projects it attributed to Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu in neighbouring Bende Federal Constituency.

NON-INDIGENES PETITION ABIA GOVERNMENT, POLICE

The Mandate 27 Group disclosed that a coalition of non-indigenes had petitioned the Abia State Government and the Abia State Police Command over alleged threats to life and concerns about the safety of residents.

It quoted Prince Adekoya, identified as a leader in the Yoruba community, as expressing concern over what he described as an unusual development in the state.

Comrade Chukwuemeka Igwuilo was also quoted as warning that the situation could encourage division among residents.

The group called on Governor Alex Otti to intervene and urged the Commissioner of Police to investigate the alleged threats against Ikechukwu Kelvin Okorie.

2027 POLITICS AND CALL FOR RESTRAINT

The statement also linked the controversy to emerging political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that growing political competition in the constituency could be contributing to tensions.

It referenced the political activities of Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji and accused the Aguocha camp of allowing political disagreements to degenerate into ethnic exchanges.

The group warned that non-indigenes who are legally registered voters in the constituency must not be subjected to intimidation or discrimination because of their state of origin.

GROUP DEMANDS APOLOGY

The Mandate 27 Group called on Hon. Obi Aguocha to address the allegations, clarify his media aide’s comments and issue an apology to residents who may have felt targeted.

It stressed that Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency belongs to all Nigerians who live, work, pay taxes and participate in its development.

The group urged political leaders and their supporters to promote tolerance, accountability and peaceful coexistence, insisting that ethnic and state-of-origin differences should not become instruments of political disagreement.

It concluded that public office holders must remain accountable to all constituents, regardless of their ethnic background or place of origin.