2027: Ikwechegh Desperate for Political Survival, Says Old Bende Young Professionals
The Old Bende Young Professionals have accused the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, of desperation to retain his seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group’s reaction follows the controversy surrounding the purported endorsement of Governor Alex Otti by some Aba residents under the name of “Old Bende.” Ikwechegh, who reportedly spearheaded the exercise, was faulted by the group for claiming to speak on behalf of Old Bende.
Speaking on a radio programme, Ikwechegh had dismissed the Old Bende Young Professionals as “non-existent,” describing its members as “hungry and seeking political relevance.”
However, in a statement issued on Sunday in Umuahia and jointly signed by its President, Barr. Chima Ogbonnaya, and Secretary, Hon. Chief Dike Chidozie Okwara, the group condemned Ikwechegh’s remarks, describing them as “uncouth utterances.”
The Old Bende Young Professionals stated that its membership cuts across young lawyers, accountants, doctors, journalists, entertainment executives, architects, tech experts, and other professionals committed to charting a new course for the Old Bende area.
According to the group, the endorsement of Governor Otti was an attempt by Ikwechegh and “his co-travellers” to curry favour from the governor, given his “low performance and inability to retain his seat through APGA.”
“Ikwechegh knows he cannot retain his seat through APGA and his abysmal performance, so he wants to tag Otti for support. He didn’t even win the current term but had to rely on the court through technicalities,” the statement read.
The group also faulted Ikwechegh for describing previous administrations as “Egypt” despite being a key player in them.
“Was he not a local government chairman? Was he not owing salaries to workers? His records are there, and he is already afraid of the judgment day come 2027 when the people of Aba will reject him like they did before,” the group added.
They maintained that it was time for the indigenous people of Aba to reclaim political control and resist any attempt by Governor Otti to “foist a non-indigene” on them.
The statement further criticised the “fraudulent endorsement” carried out by Aba residents, alleging it was wrongly presented as the decision of Old Bende.
“The so-called elders he mentioned from Old Bende in the fraudulent communiqué are residents of Aba and only vote in Aba. When the real people of Abia North were fighting for the governorship in 2023, they were all quiet. Such people cannot represent us,” the group argued.
It also noted that none of the federal lawmakers from Old Bende — including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu (Bende), Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa (Arochukwu/Ohafia), Hon. Amobi Ogah (Isuikwuato/Umunneochi), and Hon. Obi Aguocha (Ikwuano/Umuahia) — nor Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Austin Akobundu, were present at the endorsement.
“If Ikwechegh had endorsed Alex Otti in his personal capacity and alongside his fellow Aba residents without mentioning Old Bende, we would not have faulted him, as that would fall within his constitutional rights,” the group said.
Reaffirming its position, the Old Bende Young Professionals declared that the Abia governorship would return to Abia North in 2027.
“If Alex Otti is performing, we have credible people in Abia North who will outperform him, including being transparent in administering the state’s finances,” the group concluded.
