The political landscape of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency shifted significantly over the weekend as two of its most vocal grassroots movements collapsed their structures into one. The Concerned Progressives of Arochukwu and Ohafia, CPAO, and the NDC Youth Consultative Vanguard, NYCV, a former APC support base, announced a strategic merger aimed at delivering the House of Representatives seat to Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, AKA Ignes, on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2027. With a pledge to mobilise 10,000 votes and a 10-point development agenda, the alliance signals that the race for Arochukwu/Ohafia has just found its earliest and most organised momentum, Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Our Managing Editor can prove.
The declaration was made during a joint solidarity meeting at the Ohafia Town Hall in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, which drew over 2,000 enthusiastic supporters from across the two LGAs.
In a joint statement signed by the General Secretary of CPAO, Engr. Ifeanyi Iheaka, and the State Coordinator of NYCV, Comrade Ebuka Ikenna, the groups reaffirmed their commitment to work together to ensure Ogbonna’s emergence as the next member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia in the House of Representatives.
Beyond endorsement, the alliance comes with numbers. The groups pledged to mobilise no fewer than 10,000 votes for the NDC candidate and to drive voter registration and civic engagement through a structured 10-point agenda.
The NYCV, which was formerly aligned with the All Progressives Congress, APC, explained that its decision to merge followed the defection of its leader to the NDC. The group said the move was informed by confidence in Ogbonna’s leadership qualities and his vision for the constituency.
According to the groups, the collaboration marks the beginning of a robust grassroots mobilisation effort that will cut across all wards in Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Supporters at the meeting were drawn from all the wards in Arochukwu LGA, including Arochukwu I, II, III, Eleoha, Ihechiowa, Ikwun, Isu, Ohaeke, Ohafor I and 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 electoral mobilisation, the groups unveiled a 10-point agenda aimed at promoting civic engagement and socio-economic development within the constituency.
The agenda includes an aggressive Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, sensitisation campaign, empowerment programmes for youths and women, healthcare initiatives, academic competitions for students, sports festivals, and other people-oriented campaign activities.
Speaking on behalf of both organisations, Iheaka and Ikenna described Ogbonna as the most capable, competent and formidable candidate among those seeking to represent the constituency in 2027.
They said the former APC chieftain has, despite his defection to the NDC, remained one of the most popular political figures across Arochukwu and Ohafia.
They attributed his growing acceptance to his longstanding relationship with the people and his commitment to grassroots politics.
The groups noted that Ogbonna demonstrated political courage and conviction by collapsing his political structures to align with the NDC, adding that his decision was driven by his belief in purposeful leadership and good governance.
“The overwhelming support he continues to enjoy across all the nooks and crannies of Arochukwu and Ohafia is a testament to his popularity, acceptance and the confidence the people have in his ability to deliver quality representation,” they stated.
They further stressed that their primary objective is to ensure that the federal constituency witnesses unprecedented development through impactful projects and people-centred legislation.
“Our top agenda is to ensure that Arochukwu and Ohafia Federal Constituency witnesses unprecedented development through projects that will directly impact the lives of our people,” they said.
“Ifeanyi Ogbonna is committed to delivering representation that is accountable, people-focused and results-driven,” the leaders added.
“We are confident that by working together, our grassroots structures will be further strengthened to garner enough votes for Ignes in 2027,” they noted.
“He is a youth-oriented leader who is full of energy. He has shown proactiveness, capacity and competence, and has demonstrated that he possesses the qualities needed to outperform others when elected,” the groups added.
The alliance between CPAO and NYCV is expected to further consolidate support for the NDC candidate as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections in Abia State.
