The Mandate 27 Group has challenged the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, to provide a comprehensive account of his stewardship, particularly regarding the distribution of federal government rice palliatives and the implementation of constituency projects reportedly valued at ₦40.89 billion.
In a statement issued by the group, it questioned the whereabouts of two trailer loads of rice allegedly allocated to the federal constituency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s palliative programme, demanding transparency in the distribution process.
According to the group, the federal government provided food palliatives to members of the House of Representatives in 2024 for distribution to vulnerable constituents following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The group maintained that residents of Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South deserve to know how the palliatives were distributed and who benefited from the intervention.
It challenged Aguocha to publish a ward-by-ward breakdown of beneficiaries, insisting that demanding accountability from an elected representative should not be interpreted as cyberbullying or political harassment.
The group also raised concerns over a reported ₦40.89 billion allocation for 121 constituency projects between 2024 and 2026, citing a June 23, 2026, report attributed to The Guardian.
According to the statement, the reported projects include a ₦450 million allocation for the reconstruction of primary healthcare centres, including the Afugiri Health Centre at Umuakam, which the group alleged remains in a deplorable condition.
While acknowledging the construction of a five-a-side football stadium, the group questioned the implementation status of other projects reportedly captured in the constituency’s budgetary allocations.
It specifically demanded explanations regarding the condition of Afugiri Health Centre and Nkwoegwu Road, which it described as a major concern for motorists and residents.
The group further challenged Aguocha to provide evidence of legislative oversight concerning the reported allocations, arguing that effective representation goes beyond sponsoring bills and moving motions on the floor of the National Assembly.
It maintained that constituents should be able to identify tangible benefits of their representative’s legislative activities, including improvements in healthcare, education, infrastructure and social welfare.
Mandate 27 Group also criticised what it described as Aguocha’s alleged use of offensive language against former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji, and his son, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji.
The group alleged that the lawmaker had made disparaging remarks about the former governor and his son in a Facebook video, describing such conduct as unbecoming of an elected representative.
It argued that public officeholders should demonstrate restraint and respect in their engagements, particularly when addressing political opponents and elder statesmen.
Drawing from Igbo cultural values, the group emphasised the importance of respect for elders, warning against allowing political disagreements to degenerate into personal insults.
On allegations of cyberbullying and cyberstalking, the group maintained that legitimate questions concerning public resources and constituency projects should not be equated with online harassment.
It further challenged Aguocha to seek legal redress if he believes statements made against him by Chinedum Orji are defamatory, rather than engaging in what it described as exchanges on social media.
Ahead of the 2027 general election, Mandate 27 Group demanded that the federal lawmaker publish a detailed scorecard of his achievements since assuming office in 2023.
The group specifically requested a breakdown of completed and ongoing projects across Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South local government areas, including healthcare facilities, classroom blocks, roads and other constituency interventions.
It also called for a public town hall meeting where constituents could directly question the lawmaker about his performance and legislative activities.
The group warned that Aguocha’s re-election prospects could be affected if he fails to address the concerns raised, insisting that voters would assess his performance based on tangible achievements rather than political statements.
Mandate 27 Group concluded by reiterating its demands for transparency in the distribution of rice palliatives, accountability for constituency project allocations, rehabilitation of Afugiri Health Centre and greater respect in political discourse.
The allegations concerning the rice palliatives, project allocations, implementation status and alleged remarks against the former governor remain claims made by Mandate 27 Group and have not been independently verified in this report.
