A cleric, Chika Ubani, has questioned the campaign for Chief David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex to represent Abia North Senatorial District in 2027, asking why age was considered an issue in the 2015 re-election bid of the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije but appears less significant in Bourdex’s case.
Ubani, in a statement, recalled that Chukwumerije was 73 in 2015 when some political actors opposed his bid for another term, arguing that Abia North needed younger representation.
He noted that Bourdex, who is being promoted for the senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 elections, is 74, describing the positions of those involved in both campaigns as politically inconsistent.
“Those who said Senator Uche Chukwumerije was too old to seek another term at 73 in 2015 are today projecting David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex at 74. What has changed? Is 74 now younger than 73 because of political interests?” Ubani asked.
The cleric further questioned Bourdex’s grassroots connection and political temperament, describing him as an elitist politician who, in his assessment, has remained distant from ordinary residents of the senatorial district.
Ubani also recalled that Bourdex did not contest the 2023 senatorial election, saying his current emergence as an alternative to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu should be considered alongside his previous decision not to seek the seat.
He argued that the 2027 contest should focus less on political rhetoric and more on the measurable impact of those seeking to represent Abia North, particularly their contributions to education, infrastructure and human-capital development.
The cleric cited what he described as Kalu’s interventions in education, road infrastructure and youth development, including scholarships and educational opportunities for more than 100 Abia North students in different parts of the world.
He also claimed that more than 100 rural roads had been constructed or rehabilitated and more than 100 schools had received interventions across the senatorial district.
According to Ubani, Kalu’s educational initiatives have included the provision of school uniforms, STEM textbooks and school bags to pupils and students since 2019, alongside free education programmes and school transportation.
He said young people had also been sponsored for professional and specialised training, including opportunities outside Nigeria.
“What empowerment can be greater than investing in the future of our children and youths?” he asked.
“Some people believe empowerment is only when a tricycle or motorcycle is handed directly to them. But when you give a child education, provide textbooks, renovate the school where that child learns, construct the road leading to the community and sponsor young people for advanced training, you are building an entire generation.
“More than 100 Abia North students are benefiting from scholarships and educational opportunities in different parts of the world. More than 100 rural roads have been constructed or rehabilitated, while more than 100 schools have received interventions. These are things that should form the basis of any serious conversation about representation.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has consistently supported pupils with uniforms, STEM textbooks and school bags since 2019. There have been free education programmes, free buses for schoolchildren and significant investment in the education and training of our youths.
“What empowerment is greater than securing the future of our children? A motorcycle may serve one person, but quality education can transform a family and, ultimately, an entire community.”
Ubani urged the people of Abia North to assess those seeking the senatorial seat based on their records, accessibility, capacity and measurable contributions to the district.
He maintained that the district should consolidate on development projects and human-capital investments already attracted to its communities rather than allowing political interests to overshadow the issue of representation.
“Abia North cannot afford to turn representation into an experiment. The question should be simple: who has demonstrated the capacity to attract projects, invest in our children, develop our communities and give our young people opportunities to compete anywhere in the world?
“For me, that is the kind of empowerment that has lasting value,” Ubani said.
