LIBP REJECTS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST OBI AGUOCHA, ACCUSES CHARLES OGBONNA OF MISREPRESENTING IBEKU INTERESTS

UMUAHIA, Abia State — The League of Ibeku Professionals (LIBP) has rejected allegations by Chief Charles Ogbonna against the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over the alleged diversion of two trailer loads of rice reportedly released by the Federal Government as palliatives.

In a press statement issued in Abia State on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and signed by its President, Surveyor Samuel Aguiyi, and Secretary-General, Amb. Chijindu Emeruwa, the group urged Ogbonna to desist from what it described as using the Ibeku clan to pursue personal interests.

The professional body described the allegations against Aguocha as unsubstantiated and maintained that Ogbonna lacked the moral justification to question the lawmaker’s record of representation and legislative activities at the National Assembly.

According to LIBP, the distribution of food relief materials to beneficiaries across Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency was carried out through community-based channels. The group claimed that traders, academics, health workers, small-scale business owners, religious leaders, traditional institutions and media practitioners among the beneficiaries received the palliatives.

The body further argued that the distribution process was verifiable and reached Ibeku indigenes and other residents of the constituency. It, however, did not provide supporting documentation in the statement to independently establish the details of the distribution or resolve the allegations raised by Ogbonna.

LIBP also criticised Ogbonna’s record in previous Abia State administrations, particularly during the period between 2007 and 2015, when he served as Deputy Chief of Staff. The group alleged that the period was characterised by inadequate development interventions in Ibeku, including a lack of significant industrial projects, private-sector-driven industrialisation and federal infrastructure projects.

The organisation insisted that Ogbonna’s recent comments did not represent the collective position of the Ibeku people and dissociated the ancient clan from his criticisms of Aguocha.

Beyond the controversy, LIBP expressed support for Governor Alex Otti, Hon. Obi Aguocha and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini, popularly known as Ugolee. It called for continuity in leadership, citing what it described as their contributions to governance, legislative representation and development in Abia State.

The group also urged eligible Ibeku sons and daughters to participate in the electoral process by making use of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and exercising their voting rights in the 2027 general elections.

LIBP maintained that citizens should participate actively in choosing their representatives at the state and federal levels.

The allegations concerning the two trailer loads of rice remain a central issue in the dispute. The statement did not include documentary evidence of the allocation or distribution of the rice, while Ogbonna’s response to LIBP’s position was not contained in the release.

The controversy underscores the importance of transparency and verifiable information in public discussions concerning the distribution of government relief materials and the performance of elected representatives.