The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, accusing him of poor representation and alleging that his supporters are attempting to divert public attention from his performance in office.
In a strongly worded statement, the group maintained that the central issue confronting the federal constituency was what it described as Aguocha’s failure to deliver meaningful developmental projects since assuming office in 2023.
The group accused supporters of the lawmaker of shifting discussions about his legislative performance to the political history of the Orji family and allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the group, such arguments do not address the developmental challenges facing communities across Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South.
“The real issue is comatose representation in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, not the Orji family, not 16 years, not 24 years, not EFCC and not mini-stadiums,” the statement read.
The group challenged Aguocha to provide evidence of federal projects and legislative interventions facilitated for his constituents during his three years in the National Assembly.
Particularly, Mandate 27 Group expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the road leading to the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area.
It argued that despite the institution being located in Aguocha’s immediate community, the lawmaker had allegedly failed to demonstrate sufficient legislative intervention towards addressing the road’s condition.
The group referenced a video reportedly circulated by an Ohuhu indigene, Iyierioba Fayose, highlighting the deplorable state of the road.
According to the statement, the lawmaker should have engaged relevant federal and state government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to facilitate improvements.
“A federal legislator from Ohuhu should lead a delegation to the relevant authorities to ensure that the road receives the necessary attention. The people need intervention, not arguments over whether the road belongs to the federal, state or local government,” the group stated.
Mandate 27 Group further defended the developmental record of former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, whom it described as a better alternative for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group cited the construction of mini-stadiums in Ikwuano, Ubakala and Isieke, as well as the provision of transformers, among projects it credited to Orji’s political influence and collaboration with the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
It argued that the projects demonstrated the importance of collaboration between political officeholders and government institutions in delivering development.
The group also rejected attempts to make the political history of the Orji family the focus of discussions about Aguocha’s performance.
According to the statement, the political influence enjoyed by the family over the years should not prevent constituents from assessing the performance of their current representative.
Mandate 27 Group maintained that allegations involving the EFCC should not be used to distract from demands for infrastructure, employment opportunities and effective legislative representation.
“EFCC is not a road. EFCC is not a transformer. The people need access roads, electricity, employment opportunities and meaningful development,” the group declared.
While acknowledging the reported award of scholarships to 20 students of the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, the group insisted that such interventions should be complemented by efforts to improve infrastructure serving the institution.
It further argued that effective representation should be measured through legislative motions, budgetary provisions, oversight functions and the attraction of federal projects to communities.
The group called on Aguocha to make public his legislative achievements and provide verifiable evidence of projects facilitated for the constituency since 2023.
It also urged the lawmaker to prioritise the rehabilitation of the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, access road and other pressing infrastructural needs.
Reaffirming its support for Chinedum Orji ahead of the 2027 elections, Mandate 27 Group said it would continue to demand accountability from elected representatives while promoting what it described as issue-based political engagement.
“We shall remain frontal, assertive, professional and issue-based. We present Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji as a better alternative and shall not succumb to gutter politics,” the statement added.
The group insisted that residents of Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South deserved effective representation backed by visible projects rather than political exchanges.
It concluded that the 2027 general elections would provide constituents with another opportunity to assess the performance of their representatives and determine the future direction of the federal constituency.
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 latest criticisms was not included in the statement.
