As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, there is a quiet but serious conversation in several corners, village squares and town union meetings across the two local government areas. The conversation is about the impacts of the incumbent house of representatives member, Rt Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah, who has been at the green chamber for three (3) years plus and the immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who was defeated in 2023 after sixteen (16) years at the green chamber also. Isuikwuato/Umunneochi has seen both lawmakers and their styles of representation and the people can now clearly compare and contrast.
For many years, Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency was represented with a style that was largely Abuja-based and distant from the ordinary people. Town unions hardly felt the impact of representation and many youths saw the federal legislator only during election campaigns. That era created a wide gap between the people and their representative but immediately after the 2023 general elections and a fresh blood was elected in the person of Amobi Ogah, the gap between the people and Abuja was closed.
Since his emergence in 2023 under the Labour Party, what we have witnessed is a people-centred and highly vocal representation. He is present at home and also in Abuja. On the floor of the House, he speaks boldly on issues affecting the common man, sponsoring bills and discussing about insecurities affecting his constituents and youth unemployment.
At home, his empowerment, scholarships and support programmes have reached the very people who had long been forgotten in the politics of the constituency. He has brought a new energy that makes our constituency visible again in national discourse.
There is also the matter of political identity. In 2023, the people of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi made a historic decision. They voted overwhelmingly for Amobi Ogah and Labour Party as a protest against old-style politics in Isuikwuato/Umunneochi and in Abia State in general. Ogah is today the strongest political structure and the face of that decision in Abia North. Replacing him with a candidate from the old order will be seen by many of our youths as a betrayal of that 2023 political statement and could demoralize the massive youth base that has kept the constituency politically active.
Isuikwuato/Umunneochi is at a point where it needs consolidation, not confusion. It needs a representative whose second term will be more powerful than his first. It needs a voice that is energetic, accessible and in tune with the sufferings of the common people.
We have tested Amobi Ogah and he has not disappointed. Changing a winning and growing team in 2027 for a return to the past will be a costly mistake our constituency cannot afford.
Juachi Profjay Ochu writes from Eluama, Isuikwuato LGA.
