An Abia North stakeholder, Engr. Onyeze Agu Ndukwe Orji, has condemned the recent move by a youth group seeking to declare Senator Orji Uzor Kalu persona non grata in parts of Ohafia, describing the action as “radical obsession, not opposition.”
In a strongly worded statement issued from Nkporo, Orji said the letter purportedly banning the former governor from entering parts of his senatorial district does not reflect the position of the broader Ohafia community.
According to him, the controversy began when a youth group “without provocation suddenly sprang up, declared a sitting Senator ‘a persona non grata’ and went further to ban his movement and entry into parts of his senatorial district in a widely publicized letter that went viral on social media.”
He noted that the Ohafia Council of Monarchs promptly distanced the community from the letter.
“The Council of Monarchs in Ohafia quickly rose to the occasion and refuted the said letter as being a figment of imagination of the authors and never represented the official position of Ndi Ohafia Udumeze,” Orji stated.
He added that the traditional rulers considered the development “an aberration and infringement on the constitutional rights, freedom and privileges of the Senator.”
Orji explained that in response, the Senator petitioned the police to investigate the basis for the restriction.
“The Senator made a formal complaint through a petition to the police authorities to investigate the reasons why he should be banned by the group from moving freely in Ohafia as a Nigerian,” he said, describing the move as “a clear affront to the rule of law and inherent constitutional freedom.”
He further disclosed that when police authorities invited the signatories to present their grievances, a large crowd gathered at the Zone 9 Police Headquarters in Umuahia.
“The police authorities in a measured effort to maintain orderliness and public peace extended invitation to meet and listen to the purported grievances of the signatories… A mammoth crowd of young men and women stormed the Zone 9 Police Headquarters in Umuahia chanting against the Senator,” he said.
Orji also addressed claims circulating about comments made during the 2024 Senatorial Election Tribunal proceedings, where a defence counsel reportedly referenced security concerns in some Abia North communities.
“It’s laughable that a Senatorial Election Tribunal claim by a defence counsel in 2024 that IPOB activities were responsible for the failure to conduct elections in some wards has been twisted in 2026… insisting that the Senator declared Ohafia as an IPOB enclave,” he said.
He insisted that disagreement in politics should not translate into restrictions on constitutional rights.
“As it is usually said, ‘the onus of proof lies on whosoever alleges.’ Why are the authors of the letter afraid of appearing and defending their actions before the law enforcement agency?” he queried.
Orji emphasized that Abia North politics extends beyond any single community and called for adherence to established democratic processes.
“Abia North Senatorial election does not start and end in Ohafia,” he said, urging political actors to “present a credible alternative to the senator following clearly spelt out procedure and rules of engagement” rather than adopting actions that could heighten tension.
He concluded by reaffirming his support for the Senator.
“OUK is rather your nightmare and no mischief maker will stop him through antics disguised as political aspirations,” Orji stated.
