Political activity is gathering momentum in Abia North as youth leaders from Abiriba, Nkporo and Ohafia have declared their opposition to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s reported bid for another term in the Senate.
The youth leaders made their position known during a solidarity visit to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, at the Government House in Umuahia.
Beyond the political message, the gathering became an opportunity for the youths to challenge descriptions of Ohafia as an “IPOB enclave”, insisting that the community should not be defined by such labels.
Representatives of the three clans — Mr. Ogba Kalu Ogba of Abiriba, Elder Agwu Iwela Otuwe of Nkporo and Mr. Ume Kalu Nwachinemere of Ohafia — said their people are peaceful, industrious and committed to democratic participation and development.
They also expressed support for the administration of Governor Alex Otti, citing what they described as visible progress in infrastructure and human capital development across the state.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of Governor Otti, Deputy Governor Emetu urged the three clans to sustain their unity, describing their coming together as important to the development of Ohafia.
“This should not just be a dress rehearsal; this should continue forever and ever. That’s where the development of the local government will come from,” Emetu said.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Emetu also appealed to voters across the five local government areas of Abia North — Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi — to support Labour Party candidates.
He specifically canvassed support for the party’s Abia North senatorial candidate, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, describing him as an industrialist with a record of involvement in development initiatives.
“The reward of good work is more work. And that’s why we are sending Chief Bourdex to the Senate,” Emetu said.
The deputy governor also sought support for Labour Party candidates contesting the Ohafia North and Ohafia South State Constituencies as well as the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.
For the visiting youths, the meeting was as much about community identity and unity as it was about electoral politics. They arrived in matching uniforms, displayed banners and later staged cultural performances and solidarity chants in support of Governor Otti and the Labour Party.
The delegation also presented a formal position letter and symbolic uniforms to Emetu for onward delivery to Governor Otti.
Their declaration adds another layer to the emerging political contest in Abia North, where different groups have begun mobilising ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who currently represents Abia North, has previously rejected claims that he lacks grassroots support in the district. In February 2026, his media team described similar opposition from a youth group as misleading and said it did not represent the broader mood of the senatorial district.
With political alignments continuing to take shape, the latest declaration from the Ohafia youth leaders signals an intensifying contest over representation, community identity and the direction of Abia North ahead of 2027.
