“Advocacy is my greatest achievement as Reps member“ – Aguocha

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Member of house of Representatives for Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha has said that his strongest and biggest impact is in his ability to speak up when others choose look away.

He said his stance on the jailed leader of indigenous people of Biafra has not and will not change for some reasons.

Hon. Aguocha while answering questions from bloggers in his country home in Nkwoegwu Ohuhu in Umuahia North local government area of Abia said that having been classmates with Mazi Kanu in primary and secondary schools and their late parents being friends, he is tied to the case.

“My advocacy is that kanu and 720 Igbos in detention are given fair hearing,” he said.

Hon. Aguocha stated that he was able to question the administration of criminal justice in the country through the case recalling how Sunday Igboho was freed when his people rallied round him.

He said he didn’t regret speaking up and would continue until he regained freedom,adding that he had lost a lot as a result.

“If majority of the people have done 10% of my efforts for Nnamdi Kanu, the situation would have been easier.

“People just ignored Kanu. The yorubas never abandoned Igboho Sunday and this is what we have failed to do.

“I have spoken out in his favour. We were classmates at Library Avenue primary school where the government house is now and classmates at government college, Umuahia and have family ties with him.

“Nnamdi has confidence in me to speak for his release. I have lost a lot calling for his release. I like what my governor has done. I will keep speaking on it,” he said.

Continuing he said “God has given me a platform I didn’t deserve to represent a people. There’s no rule book as to how I do it. I’m resourceful.

When asked if he was a member of IPOB, he responded in the negative.“I’m not an IPOB member but I believe in their ideology of Biafra which is a mindset.

If it’s about giving equal opportunities to Igbos, then I’m for it. We deserve a seaport, railway system……. ……..agitations will continue because of marginalisation,” he added.

He equally said he didn’t see the organisation as a terrorist bodyThe reps member also disclosed that he believed more in empowerment of greater impact which is education more than providing tricycles and motorbikes to his constituents.

He said that in the coming days, he would unveil his scorecard in over three years of representation for his constituency to assess him.According to him, some people had represented the constituency but lacked knowledge of the areas and their needs.

On what he thinks about deputy speaker Ben Kalu’s perceived gubernatorial aspiration, the federal legislator said that it was within his rights as a citizen to aspire for any position.“Hon. Ben kalu is entitled to his aspirations whether as a legislator or for governor.

I don’t believe there’s a vacancy in the state. The people have seen the good works the governor has done. The people will be the ones to decide.

He also posited that his party-Labour party did not have a leadership crisis and assured that he was not moving to any other political party.

On whether he entertained fears of his supposed opponents, he said they should secure tickets first from their parties, saying he had an edge over them as someone who had verifiable footprints in representation which wasn’t available prior to 2023 general election.