2027: Hon. Elvis Ogbonna (IGNES) Seeks Aro Support, Says ‘It’s Youth O’Clock’

Hon. Elvis Ogbonna (IGNES), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Constituency seat in the Federal House of Representatives, has called for the prayers, support and commitment of the people of Arochukwu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ogbonna made the appeal during a breakfast meeting with Aro leaders and stakeholders at his residence in Arochukwu on Saturday.

He said he was determined to do more for the constituency if given the opportunity to represent the people in the House of Representatives.

According to Ogbonna, 15 aspirants are currently seeking the position, with 13 from Ohafia Local Government Area and two from Arochukwu Local Government Area.

Describing the period as “youth o’clock,” he urged the people to support his political ambition and work collectively towards achieving victory at the polls.

“I need your prayers, support and commitment for us to do this together and come out victorious. If we don’t support our own brother, it becomes a problem,” he said.

Also speaking, the President-General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, described Ogbonna as a hardworking individual who, according to him, carries the Aro spirit.

Udensi urged the people to look beyond political rhetoric and consider the potential implications of Ogbonna’s candidacy for the development of Arochukwu Kingdom.

“Our brother has come to tell us that he’s aspiring for a position. So, beyond rhetoric, think of how his candidacy and position can enrich the Kingdom,” he said.

He stressed the importance of effective representation in government, noting that government remained critical to opening up communities and facilitating development.

“No matter what we do as a nation, it is the government that can successfully open a community or a nation. That’s why we need an arm in the Green Chamber, to take our complaints there and bring dividends of democracy home,” Udensi said.

On the Abia State political situation, Udensi personally expressed his continued support for Governor Alex Otti.

“My support for Alex Otti is not negotiable. I’m not a sycophant,” he said.

On the 2027 presidential election, Udensi described Peter Obi as an astute and intelligent politician, recalling that he knew Obi from their days at Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

“Peter Obi has always been an astute person. He was my junior in CKC and UNN. He’s intelligent. For 2027, it will be right for us to consider support for Peter Obi and Alex Otti. We want an identity in Nigeria and that is our target because we are floating,” he said.

In his remarks, Eze Atani, HRH Dr Charles Kalu Okorie, said that when Ogbonna approached the monarchs to inform them of his political ambition, they advised him to first secure the ticket of his political party before approaching them for further discussions on his aspiration.

He noted that the people would ultimately consider the candidates and their respective programmes as the political process progressed.

Also speaking, Eze Ogo Amuvi, Eze Thomas Nlenanya Okoroji, encouraged the candidate and his party to engage extensively with the people at the grassroots and present their plans for the constituency.

He cited Ogbonna’s contributions to football development in the community as part of his record of community engagement.

“The support of IGNIS for football in our community has boosted the community,” he said.

Contributing to the discussion, the Chairman of the Union of Village Presidents-General and Secretaries-General, Mazi Dr N.C.E. Njaka, said that individuals, rather than political parties alone, would play an important role in the election, describing the contest as a “rainbow coalition.”

Njaka recommended house-to-house engagement as part of the campaign strategy, saying such interactions would enable residents to understand the candidates’ plans, assess their suitability for the position and hold whoever emerges accountable.

Speaking at the event, former member representing the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency and NDC senatorial candidate for Abia North Senatorial Zone, Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole, said politics was fundamentally about representation.

He maintained that Abam and Arochukwu were one and recalled projects he said he attracted to the Arochukwu/Ohafia area during his tenure in the House of Representatives.

“Politics is about representation, and Abam and Arochukwu are one. We all know how I attracted the Arochukwu/Ohafia project. There’s no village in Ohafia that I didn’t have a project,” Nkole said.

He added:

“I have the capacity to work, and that’s why we want your support to have the power to work for the people. I’m sure with your guidance and support, we will extend to our collective destiny.”

Nkole also expressed optimism that elected representatives from the zone would work together to attract developmental projects and other benefits to the constituency.

The breakfast meeting attracted a cross-section of Aro leaders, including the Nde Eze Ọgo of Arochukwu, leaders of Nzuko Arochukwu led by its President-General, Sir Nnadozie Udensi, as well as leaders of Aro village unions, clubs and fraternities.

Among those present were Mazi Kelechi Kanu, AROSON President Sir Chijioke Kingsley Oti, Mazi Chima Kanu, Pastor Henry Ogbonna, Mazi Francis Okoro Eze Nta Asaga, NDC Abia State Leader, Chief Uchenna Okogbuo, Rt. Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole, Mazi Chinedum Ijomah, Dr. Chigozie Udensi, and the NDC Women Leader, UgoEze Dr. Nkechinyere Ikenga.
Others were, Presidents General of Asaga Village, Dr CC Onwumere, Amukwa Mazi Clinton Okoro, the Secretary General of Ugbo Village, Mazi Okoro Sampson; Ikemba Aro Aliche Otti, Ikemba Aro Sir Uche Otti and Mazi Hon Jideofor Kanu.

The meeting provided a platform for the candidate to present his political ambition and engage Aro leaders and stakeholders on his proposed representation of the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.