2027: Driven By Desperation, Aguocha Swears By Fathom Projects – By Chidinma Omar

2027: Driven By Desperation, Aguocha Swears By Fathom Projects – By Chidinma Omar

Caught up by his unquenchable ambition for a second term, Hon. Obi Aguocha, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency is being forced to take a second look at himself in the mirror: Only shock and dismay confronts him. Three years of abysmal non-performance at the House of Representatives, nothing to celebrate, no scorecards, or at best fathom projects like the much prematurely celebrated Federal Medical Centre, Ikwuano, which at best remains a mere proposal on paper.

Not even prayers can bring the much crowed about FMC, Ikwuano to manifestation – not by celebrating its existence as a proposal captured on paper – only Mr President’s signature can.

Though Aguocha may have been anointed by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, but how far could the governor’s shadow cover him? Not very far – the truth dawned on him at Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA, one of the tripartite LGAs making up the Federal Constituency

During a consultative meeting with the Executives and members of Ubakala Clan Union, its Presidents-General and the Federated body, Aguocha like a baby seeking the protective covers of his mothers wrapper mother, again sought the safety of Gov Otti’s protection

He boasted before the community leaders that he was responsible for the reconstruction of Amaigbo – Eziama – Amuzu road. “No sir. you did not!, countered Elder Friday Ogbuehi, the immediate past President-General of the Ubakala Clan Improvement Union Federated, UCIUF. ”The Abia State Commissioner of Budget and Planning who is from Ubakala facilitated the road, and it is being funded by the World Bank and Abia Government”, said Ogbuehi

Like a drowning man clutching at straws, Aguocha tried again, by claiming to have facilitated the reconstruction of Agalaba Ise – Umu Okeleke, again Ogbuehi countered that it was an Abia State Government project

Anothere project claimed by Aguocha, the solar lights at Apumiri Market was facilitated by Senator Austin Akobundu, and according to Ogbuehi the project execution was supervised by Hon Uwaoma Ndukauba.

Not even the 13 thousand bags of rice, Aguocha claimed he distributed to Ubakala was acknowledged to have been received. It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu gave all House of Representatives a trailer load of rice to distribute to their constituencies to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy, but till date, Aguocha could not account for that given to Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency

Again the 45 scholarships Aguocha claimed he awarded to students from Ubakala has ended up in controversy. In a strongly worded clarification, Ogbuehi claimed that his Executive were neither informed nor consulted about the alleged scholarship – allegedly awarded during its tenure.

“For the record, the past administration led by me was not informed of such scholarships, nor were we consulted for the award of such scholarships,” Ogbuehi stated.

He further explained that such an initiative, if brought before his administration, would have involved the leadership of all the autonomous communities within Ubakala Clan.

“If such had happened, in our administration’s usual manner of leadership, the entire fifteen Autonomous Communities of Ubakala Clan would have been involved through their presidents,” he added.

The Ubakala drama ended on a short not with the remarks by Hon Ndidi Anosike, the Abia State Commissioner of Budget and Planning to Aguocha: “You have not done well in Ubakala, but it is not too late for you yet”