By Chidi Omar
The Ofeke Azueke community in Ndume-Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, has disputed claims attributed to the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, over the installation of an electricity transformer in the community.
The community, through a statement signed by Hon. Prince Clinton Alozie, said Aguocha contributed financially to the project but did not solely facilitate or install the transformer as allegedly portrayed.
According to Alozie, the transformer project was a community self-help initiative funded through contributions, levies and donations from sons and daughters of Ofeke, as well as friends of the community.
“At no time did Hon. Obi Aguocha restore electricity in Ofeke Azueke Ndume Ibeku. The claim that he restored light is false and should be disregarded,” Alozie said.
He added that Aguocha was “one out of many donors” to the project and that other individuals contributed substantial sums towards its execution.
The statement followed reports credited to Aguocha and his media handlers concerning the project. The community stakeholder said it appreciated Aguocha’s contribution but objected to what it described as an attempt to portray a collective community effort as the achievement of an individual.
“The transformer project in Ofeke Azueke Ndume Ibeku was a COMMUNITY SELF-HELP PROJECT. It was funded through contributions, levies and donations from Ofeke sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora,” the statement said.
Alozie further stated that the community collectively raised funds for the purchase of the transformer and cables, adding that several individuals and organisations made donations.
Among those listed as contributors were Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Augustine Okezie Meregini; Chf. Chima Ogu; Showers Spring; Chf. Paul Ezeanyagu; David Nwankpa of Osinachi Lodge; Green Lodge; and several other individuals and businesses.
The community also provided details of the account through which contributions for the transformer project were received, identifying the account as that of the Ofeke Development Union Electricity Committee.
Alozie said the community would not allow any individual to claim sole ownership of the project, insisting that its completion was the result of communal contributions.
The latest dispute comes amid broader criticism from Aguocha’s political opponents over his representation of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
Alozie alleged that Aguocha had previously been accused of taking credit for projects in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, including roads which, according to him, were executed through collaborations involving the Abia State Government and other development partners.
He also questioned Aguocha’s record in attracting projects and empowerment programmes to the constituency.
“Where is your scorecard?” Alozie asked, alleging that the lawmaker had not facilitated sufficient projects in the constituency.
However, the allegations contained in Alozie’s statement could not independently establish whether Aguocha had made other contributions to the project beyond the donation acknowledged by the community, or the extent of his involvement in the transformer installation.
The dispute has therefore placed the Ofeke transformer project at the centre of a fresh political disagreement over the ownership and attribution of community development initiatives in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
Alozie urged members of the public to disregard what he described as misleading claims and maintain that the transformer was achieved through the collective effort of the Ofeke community.
The statement was dated October 4, 2026.
