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 the alleged neglect of the road leading to the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement titled “Ohuhu Road of Shame: When Representation Becomes Insensitivity Under Aguocha’s Nose,” the group expressed disappointment over the condition of the road, describing it as a reflection of what it considers inadequate legislative intervention in critical infrastructure within the constituency.
According to the group, the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, is situated in Aguocha’s home community of Ohuhu, making the condition of its access road a matter that should attract his attention as the constituency’s representative at the National Assembly.
The group alleged that students, lecturers and other road users have continued to experience difficulties accessing the institution, particularly during the rainy season when sections of the road reportedly become nearly impassable.
Mandate 27 Group questioned why the lawmaker had allegedly failed to pursue federal intervention through relevant government agencies, including the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Federal Ministry of Works and other institutions responsible for infrastructure development.
The group argued that effective representation should go beyond political discussions to include attracting projects and addressing challenges affecting constituents.
It maintained that Aguocha could explore legislative motions, budgetary provisions and engagement with relevant federal agencies to facilitate the rehabilitation of the road.
The group also accused the lawmaker of paying greater attention to political disagreements involving former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, and his family than to pressing developmental needs within his constituency.
According to the statement, the continued deterioration of the Ofeme road raises questions about the priorities of the current representation.
“Instead of talking about FCE Ofeme road, he talks about Orji. Instead of moving a motion for the road to his home institution, he moves mouth against another man,” the group stated.
Mandate 27 Group further alleged that students of the institution had repeatedly complained about the road through protests and social media appeals without receiving the desired intervention.
It warned that poor access infrastructure could negatively affect academic activities, students’ welfare, staff movement and the overall development of the institution.
The group stressed that an institution responsible for training future teachers deserves adequate infrastructure to support teaching and learning.
It also questioned what it described as the lawmaker’s failure to attract sufficient federal attention to other infrastructure challenges affecting communities across Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South.
Drawing comparisons between Aguocha and Chinedum Orji, the group portrayed the former Speaker as a politician whose leadership approach prioritises attracting development and distributing democratic dividends to constituents.
It maintained that the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency deserve representation focused on infrastructure, education, employment opportunities and other developmental projects rather than political disagreements.
The group consequently challenged Aguocha to demonstrate his commitment to the constituency by facilitating intervention on the Ofeme access road and other pressing infrastructure needs.
It described the condition of the road as a test of the lawmaker’s capacity to attract federal projects to his constituency.
Mandate 27 Group called on residents of Ohuhu, Ibeku, Olokoro, Oboro and other communities within the federal constituency to assess the performance of their representatives based on tangible developmental achievements.
The group insisted that the people should demand greater accountability and effective representation from those entrusted with political mandates.
“Growth needs sensitivity, not insensitivity,” the group declared, urging constituents to judge whether the current representation meets their expectations.
The allegations concerning Aguocha’s legislative performance, his reported disagreements with the Orji family and the claimed absence of intervention on the road remain assertions by the Mandate 27 Group.
A response from Hon. Obi Aguocha to the allegations was not included in the statement.
