As the controversy over the purported endorsement of Governor Alex Otti by some residents of Aba in the name of Old Bende rages, the arrowhead of the exercise, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, has been described as desperate to retain his seat as member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency.
A group known as Old Bende Young Professionals had faulted Ikwechegh for the endorsement, arguing that he cannot speak for Old Bende.
But Ikwechegh, in a radio programme, described the group as non-existent, saying the members were hungry and seeking political relevance.
However, in a statement on Sunday in Umuahia, the group lambasted Ikwechegh for what it described as uncouth utterances, reflecting his bad temperament, which would have landed him in prison last year when he physically assaulted an Uber driver.
In the statement endorsed by the President, Barr. Chima Ogbonnaya, and the Secretary, Hon. Chief Dike Chidozie Okwara, the Old Bende Young Professionals took exception to being described as non-existent, saying that the members are young lawyers, accountants, doctors, journalists, entertainment executives, architects, tech executives, and various professionals determined to chart a new course in Old Bende.
It noted that, on the contrary, Ikwechegh and his co-travellers were the ones seeking the attention of Alex Otti with the endorsement since he has failed his constituents with low representation.
“Ikwechegh knows that 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 group submitted.
The group carpeted Ikwechegh for calling the past administrations ‘Egypt’, even while he was a key player.
According to it, “He wants to exonerate himself. 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 young professionals disclosed that it was time for the indigenous people of Aba to take what belongs to them by resisting any attempt by Gov. Alex Otti to foist a non-indigene on them.
It urged Ikwechegh to return to Bende Local Government to contest and test his popularity instead of hanging on the tails of Alex Otti through a fraudulent endorsement.
The group deplored what it called the fraudulent endorsement by residents of Aba, claiming that it was the decision of the people 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,” it argued.
It noted that the simple questions it raised concerning the democratic validation of the purported endorsement of Gov. Alex Otti could not be answered satisfactorily by Ikwechegh.
“The funny thing is that he is not representing any federal constituency in Old Bende. We have Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, representing Bende. We have Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa representing Arochukwu/Ohafia and then Hon. Amobi Ogah representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi, Hon. Obi Aguocha for Ikwuano/Umuahia. None of them was there, and not even Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Austin Akobundu, and you claim you are speaking for Old Bende.”
The group averred that if Ikwechegh had endorsed Alex Otti in his name and those of his fellow Aba residents without mentioning Old Bende, he would not have been faulted since it falls within his constitutional rights.
It reiterated its stand that the governorship of Abia State will revert 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 finances of the state.”
