2027: Ex-Abia Speaker Orji Knocks Reps Member Aguocha, Demands Focus on Legislative Duties

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, has advised the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, to stop what he described as “tantrums” and concentrate on his legislative responsibilities.

Orji, who lost the 2023 election to Aguocha, accused the federal lawmaker of consistently denigrating him, a development he said reflects “low self-esteem.”

In a statement responding to recent remarks attributed to Aguocha, Orji urged the lawmaker to shift attention from personal attacks to effective representation at the National Assembly.

“Can someone advise the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Obi Aguocha, to kindly focus on his poor, delusional representation at the Green Chamber rather than throwing unprovoked tantrums at me?” Orji said.

He also faulted Aguocha’s repeated references to the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, alleging that the lawmaker was using the issue for political advantage. 

“Can someone tell Hon. Obi Aguocha to stop deceiving himself with the mantra of Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration for cheap socio-political emotions, clout-chasing, theatrics, and sentiments?” he added.

Orji further alleged that the lawmaker was under pressure to target critics of the Abia State Government, while also attacking the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the political atmosphere ahead of 2027 should be about accountability rather than political rhetoric.

“Why is Hon. Obi Aguocha afraid of a particular person? I guess he is afraid because 2027 is not 2023. 2023 was ‘iko onu’ and incitement of the people. 2027 is operation show your scorecard,” he stated.

The former Speaker also challenged Aguocha to a public debate to account for his stewardship in office.

“I challenge him to a public debate, moderated by any person of his choosing, to account for his stewardship in public office,” Orji said.

He, however, noted that he had refrained from commenting on Aguocha’s performance since the 2023 election, stressing that he respects the mandate given to the lawmaker by the electorate.

“For the past three years, I have never uttered a word against Obi Aguocha’s stewardship, as I believe it is his fundamental right to represent the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency,” he said.

Orji added that electoral victory should not be mistaken for performance in office, insisting that representatives must be accountable to their constituents.