The Mandate 27 Group has criticised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over allegations concerning an unfulfilled transformer promise to the people of Ndị Umuda in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement issued by the group, it accused Aguocha’s media team of attempting to discredit former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, over a project allegedly promised to a community outside his former state constituency.
The group explained that Orji represented Umuahia Central State Constituency during his time in the Abia State House of Assembly, where he served as House Leader and later Speaker, while Ohuhu State Constituency, which includes Ndị Umuda, was represented by Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike.
According to the group, it was misleading to hold Orji responsible for an alleged unfulfilled promise in a constituency that had its own elected representative during the period in question.
Mandate 27 Group questioned why those raising the transformer allegation had failed to seek clarification from Onuzuruike, who represented the affected community at the time.
The group argued that even if Orji had facilitated projects outside his constituency, such interventions should be considered additional contributions rather than obligations arising from his legislative representation.
It further criticised Aguocha over the controversy, arguing that he was not part of the Abia State House of Assembly leadership when the alleged promise was made.
“It is a big shame to be so eager to prosecute a story you were not even present for. A man who was not there cannot speak for what happened there,” the group stated.
Mandate 27 Group also challenged the credibility of the transformer allegation, noting that the claims reportedly lacked specific details, including the date and venue of the alleged promise, documentary evidence and identifiable witnesses.
The group maintained that genuine efforts to establish accountability should involve the elected representative of the affected constituency at the time and relevant government officials responsible for executing such projects.
Defending Orji’s political record, the group claimed that the former Speaker facilitated several developmental projects, including seven 1,000-capacity mini-stadiums, electrification projects across 32 communities, boreholes, scholarships and empowerment programmes.
It argued that these interventions demonstrated Orji’s commitment to grassroots development and improved living conditions for residents.
The group subsequently challenged Aguocha to make public a comprehensive account of his achievements since assuming office in the House of Representatives in 2023.
According to the statement, Aguocha should identify at least 10 wards and polling units within Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South that have benefited from his representation, providing details of projects, funding sources, implementation dates and supporting evidence.
Mandate 27 Group also called on the federal lawmaker to account for constituency funds and other resources available to his office, insisting that public accountability should be based on verifiable achievements rather than political accusations.
The group accused Aguocha’s media handlers of concentrating on allegations against Orji instead of presenting what it described as a convincing record of the incumbent lawmaker’s performance.
It maintained that residents of the federal constituency were capable of evaluating the performance of their representatives based on visible projects and measurable contributions to community development.
The group concluded that attempts to associate Orji with an alleged unfulfilled transformer promise in Ohuhu would not diminish what it described as his developmental achievements.
The allegations concerning the transformer and the competing claims about the lawmakers’ performance have not been independently verified. Aguocha’s response to the group’s latest criticism was not included in the statement.
