ABIA| September 19, 2026 —
Youth leaders from Ibeku have declared their support for the second-term bid of the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, urging the electorate to prioritise competence, performance and issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The youth leaders, while speaking on the emerging political activities within the constituency, maintained that political choices should be guided by verifiable records of service, legislative contributions, development initiatives and the capacity of candidates to effectively represent the collective interests of the people.
They cautioned against the politics of clan, village or sectional affiliation, stressing that such considerations should not overshadow the broader interests of the federal constituency, which comprises communities with diverse needs and aspirations.
According to them, the electorate deserves a political environment where candidates are assessed on the strength of their ideas, accomplishments and proposed programmes rather than their ancestral or sectional identities.
The group said its decision to support Aguocha was informed by its assessment of his representation and engagement with constituents, rather than clan considerations. They argued that the 2027 electoral contest should provide an opportunity for voters to critically examine the records and programmes of all candidates before making their individual choices.
The youth leaders further called on political actors seeking elective positions to place issues affecting the people at the centre of their campaigns. They identified infrastructure, education, employment, healthcare, economic opportunities, security and effective legislative representation among the issues requiring sustained attention.
They stressed that political campaigns should move beyond rhetoric and personal attacks to meaningful conversations about practical solutions to the challenges confronting communities across Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South.
The group also urged aspirants and their supporters to promote peaceful political participation and avoid rhetoric capable of deepening divisions among communities. They noted that despite their different clan and community identities, residents of the federal constituency share common developmental interests.
Reaffirming their support for Aguocha's 2027 bid, the Ibeku youth leaders said they would continue to engage young people and other stakeholders on the importance of responsible political participation and issue-driven campaigns.
They maintained that political leadership should majorly be about service to the people, accountability and the ability to translate electoral mandates into tangible developmental outcomes.
The youth leaders therefore appealed to the electorate to scrutinise the records, ideas and commitments of all candidates as political activities gather momentum, insisting that the collective development of the constituency should remain paramount in the 2027 electoral conversation.