By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
Over 2,000 supporters from Arochukwu and Ohafia Local Government Areas of Abia State gathered over the weekend in a massive show of force for Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, popularly known as Ignes, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The rally, held at the Ohafia Town Hall, also witnessed the merger of two major political structures, the Concerned Progressives of Arochukwu and Ohafia, CPAO, and the NDC Youth Consultative Vanguard, NYCV, a former APC support group, in a strategic alliance to deliver victory for Ogbonna.
In a joint statement signed by CPAO General Secretary, Engr. Ifeanyi Iheaka, and NYCV State Coordinator, Comrade Ebuka Ikenna, the groups pledged to mobilize no fewer than 10,000 votes for the NDC candidate across all wards in both LGAs.
The groups said the alliance was driven by confidence in Ogbonna’s leadership qualities and his vision for the constituency, noting that NYCV’s decision to join CPAO followed the defection of its leader from the APC to the NDC.
According to them, the collaboration marks the beginning of aggressive grassroots mobilisation that will cut across every ward in Arochukwu and Ohafia ahead of 2027.
Supporters at the meeting were drawn from all 12 wards in Arochukwu LGA including Arochukwu I, II, III, Eleoha, Ihechiowa, Ikwun, Isu, Ohaeke, Ohafor I, Ohafor II, Ovukwu and Ututu. From Ohafia LGA, delegates came from Agboji, Abiriba, Amaeke, Amaogudu, Ania, Ebem Ohafia, Isiama, Ndi Agbo, Nkporo, Ndi Elu, Ndi Etiti, Ohafor and Okanu.
Beyond vote canvassing, the groups unveiled a 10-point agenda aimed at deepening civic engagement and driving socio-economic development in the federal constituency.
The agenda includes an aggressive Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, sensitization campaign, youth and women empowerment programmes, healthcare initiatives, academic competitions for students, sports festivals, and other people-oriented activities.
Speaking on behalf of both organisations, Iheaka and Ikenna described Ogbonna as the most capable, competent and formidable candidate in the 2027 race for the House of Representatives seat.
They said despite defecting from the APC to the NDC, Ogbonna remains one of the most popular political figures in Arochukwu and Ohafia, attributing his growing acceptance to his longstanding relationship with the people and commitment to grassroots politics.
“The overwhelming support he continues to enjoy across all the nooks and crannies of Arochukwu and Ohafia is a testament to his popularity and the confidence the people have in his ability to deliver quality representation,” the statement read.
