2027: Ohafia Youths Reject Orji Kalu’s 3rd-Term Bid, Disown ‘IPOB Enclave’ Label

A major political shift is underway across Abia North Senatorial District as youth leaders representing the three ancestral clans of Ohafia Local Government Area, Abiriba, Nkporo, and Ohafia have formally rejected the third-term senatorial ambition of incumbent Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The youths, who also strongly disowned and condemned recurring narratives labeling Ohafia as an “IPOB enclave,” made their position public during a massive solidarity visit to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, in his office at Government House, Umuahia.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, Deputy Governor Emetu commended the youths for coming together under a unified platform. He charged them to sustain the historic alliance between Abiriba, Nkporo, and Ohafia, emphasizing that speaking with one voice remains the ultimate key to unlocking the economic and infrastructural potential of the area.

“This should not just be a dress rehearsal; this should continue forever and ever. That’s where the development of the local government will come from,” Emetu declared.

Highlighting the political trajectory of Abia North ahead of 2027, Deputy Governor Emetu urged the youths and eligible voters across all five local government areas—Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, and Umunneochi—to mobilize massively for candidates of the Labour Party. He specifically made a strong case for the Labour Party’s Abia North Senatorial candidate, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, MFR, OON, insisting that the Abiriba-born industrialist possesses the capacity and developmental track record to offer effective legislative representation.

“The reward of good work is more work. And that’s why we are sending Chief Bourdex to the Senate,” Emetu stated, while also soliciting support for Labour Party candidates across the Ohafia North, Ohafia South State Constituencies, and the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.

Earlier, representatives of the youth delegation comprising Mr. Ogba Kalu Ogba (Abiriba), Elder Agwu Iwela Otuwe (Nkporo), and Mr. Ume Kalu Nwachinemere (Ohafia)—explained that their visit was to declare unreserved alignment with the visible infrastructural and human capital achievements of the Otti-led administration.

Dressed in symbolic uniforms and holding banners of support, the youth leaders firmly pushed back against external political propaganda aimed at demeaning the local government area. They declared that the people of Ohafia are brave, industrious, peaceful, and democratic citizens who completely reject being profiled as an “IPOB enclave.”

Capping the visit with cultural performances and “100 over 100” solidarity chants for Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party, the youth leaders presented an official position letter and symbolic uniforms to Deputy Governor Emetu for onward delivery to the Governor, formally sealing their stance against Senator Kalu’s 2027 third-term bid.