As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the battle for the Abia North Senatorial seat has begun to generate serious confusion and internal disunity within Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
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Abia North Senatorial District is comprised of five local government areas: Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, and Ohafia. Of these, four have produced senators at different times — with Ohafia being the only LGA yet to occupy the senatorial seat since the return of democracy in 1999.
This perceived political marginalization has fueled growing agitation within Ohafia, as political actors and stakeholders begin strategic alignments and consultations ahead of the 2026 party primaries. A key consideration among many is identifying the political platform that will best protect the interest of Ohafia in the forthcoming elections.
Many influential political figures from the area are reportedly banking on the soaring popularity and goodwill of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, in Abia North to clinch the Labour Party ticket, which is currently seen as the party to beat in the zone.
However, as with every political season, the quest for power has exposed deep divisions among the stakeholders, especially within the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold in Ohafia. A faction of the APC in the area has pledged support for the incumbent senator, former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, who is seeking a third term in the Red Chamber.
Prominent among Kalu’s supporters is the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu. In a recent Facebook Live video, Uchendu appealed to the people of Ohafia to support Senator Kalu’s reelection bid, arguing that a third term for the former governor could pave the way for Ohafia to produce the next senator in 2031.
However, Uchendu’s remarks sparked a wave of backlash, especially among young political commentators and activists from Ohafia. His social media page was flooded with angry reactions, with many accusing him of mortgaging the political aspirations of the LGA for personal gain.
A notable online advocacy group, Sons of Ohafia, has also weighed in on the debate, posting a series of critical commentaries on Facebook, challenging the rationale behind Ohafia’s continued political relegation and condemning those who support a status quo they believe is unjust.
As the clock ticks towards the crucial party primaries in 2026, the political landscape in Abia North remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the battle for equity, justice, and representation in the Senate will shape the dynamics of the senatorial race — especially within Ohafia, a community yearning for its long-overdue shot at the national legislature.
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