A political group under the aegis of Ohafia Youth Initiative Movement (OYI), has slammed the former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu for attacking the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa.
Uchendu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 National Assembly election for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency on Thursday slammed Osonwa’s performance in the House of Representatives, saying: “I must express my deep disappointment with his performance over the past year.”
In a swift response to the statement, OYI in a statement by its Director General, Comrade Ukpai Kalu said Uchendu was jealous and intimidated by Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa’s performance.
“Obviously, Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu is frustrated, jealous and intimidated by the performance and energy of Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa. Instead of him to applaud Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa for sponsoring quality bills and motions, he has resorted to blackmails and venting his frustration on our distinguished lawmaker who is giving our people a loud voice at the green chamber.
“Apparently, his vituperative rhetoric was to incite some of our elites against Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa who has won the heart of the people through his approach, sincerity and transparency.
“If Hon. Uchendu has forgotten the role(s) of a lawmaker, it is imperative we remind him that Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa has sponsored over fives bills—with most of them intended to directly benefit the people of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.
There is a bill in the House for an act to convert the Ohafia General Hospital located at Amaekpu Ohafia to be converted to a Federal Medical Centre. Which passed and signed into law, this bill would create jobs for the people of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, and tackle the issue of the health challenges facing our people — which his former party, the PDP refused to address.
“Hon. Osonwa also sponsored the Freight Forwarding Bill (2023), co-sponsored: State Policing Bill, Bill to amend the Nigerian constitution from presidential to parliamentary system of government. Hon. Osonwa has moved important motions of national importance, and has presented over four petitions affecting his constituents —including his spirited push to have electricity restored back to Abiriba, Ohafia, and Nkporo communities. Some of the motions moved by Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa include: Need for urgent intervention on erosion affected areas in Amaekpu, Elu, Ebem, Ndi-Uduma Awoke, Nkporo, Abiriba and Okpo Ihechiowa communities.
¡¡. Urgent need to establish a peacekeeping post in Isu Community to aid peace over a long boundary dispute.
¡¡¡. Urgent need to reenergise Ohafia Local Government Electricity Power and reconcile exorbitant bills awarded to the communities.
“For the first time in the National Assembly, Hon. Osonwa’s open door policy has helped our people secure opportunities in Abuja and outside the country through his recommendations and contacts. He has secured grants to over 400 people with a greater number of them from Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu’s Amaekpu and Isiama ward.
“Hon. Uchendu should be informed that the federal government has already awarded contract for the rehabilitation of Oboro-Okagwe-Road which was facilitated by Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa with over 10 others to follow.
“Can we tag a lawmaker who facilitated projects of over a billion naira in the 2024 budget as a “total waste”? The answer is NO. It’s Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu and his cohorts who wasted the time of Abians for 24 solid years with nothing to show for it,” the statement said.
