From Kenneth Udeh, Umuahia
As the race toward the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, political and community stakeholders across Arochukwu and Ohafia Federal Constituency are increasingly rallying around Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), fondly known as Ignis, positioning him as the most formidable contender for the House of Representatives seat.
From grassroots mobilisers to professional groups and political organisations, Ogbonna’s rising popularity and broad-based acceptance are redefining the pre-election landscape in Abia North.
The Concerned Progressives of Arochukwu and Ohafia (CPAO), a leading All Progressives Congress (APC) support group, was among the first to formally declare support for Ogbonna.
In a statement issued in Umuahia and signed by its General Secretary, Engr. Ifeanyi Iheaka, the group predicted that several aspirants from within and outside the APC would likely drop their ambitions to back him.
“Because Ifeanyi Ogbonna has done exceptionally well in mobilisation for our party and even across party lines, this alone has made him the most popular and widely accepted candidate in the constituency.
“We must be united if we want to win in 2027, and Ignis represents that unity,” Iheaka said.
Iheaka further warned that denying Ogbonna the APC ticket could prove politically costly, stressing that “the only name on the lips of the people is Ifeanyi Ogbonna.”
The group also faulted the Labour Party’s performance in the constituency, accusing current representative Hon. Ibe Osonwa Okwara of “failing to deliver meaningful representation.” CPAO cited several alleged failed empowerment schemes, adding that the people are ready for a change through the APC.
Grassroots and Professional Endorsements Strengthen Momentum
Echoing the sentiment, the League of Abia Progressive Assembly (LAPA) described Ogbonna as a transformational leader capable of repositioning Arochukwu and Ohafia in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement signed by Comrade Ajani Awa Ukpai and Engr. Christopher Okpara, LAPA said Ogbonna’s business expertise, educational background, and developmental vision make him a credible face of modern leadership.
“Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna is not only prepared; he is the future. His leadership will alter the political and developmental trajectory of our constituency,” the statement read.
Backing LAPA’s position, the Abia Progressive Frontiers Support Group (APFS) pledged to sponsor Ogbonna’s nomination form, with its Coordinator, Hon. Ogbonna Augustine, announcing plans for a ward-to-ward mobilisation campaign.
“No one else can fill the leadership gap in our constituency except Hon. Ifeanyi Ogbonna,” Augustine said.
Ohafia Patriots and Youth Groups Unite Behind Ogbonna
The momentum continued as the League of Ohafia Patriots, representing all 265 villages in Ohafia Local Government Area, threw its weight behind Ogbonna, describing him as “a rare blend of competence, compassion, and credibility.”
In a communiqué signed by Chief Ikechi Ukoha and Mrs. Chisom Okwara, the group noted that although Ogbonna had yet to officially declare his ambition, his numerous interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, and empowerment have earned him the trust of the people.
“His scholarships, skills acquisition programmes, and humanitarian interventions speak louder than campaign promises. He is the people’s choice,” the communiqué read.
At a separate summit organised by the Progressives Youth Forum of Ohafia (PYF), stakeholders urged Ogbonna to focus on human capacity and infrastructure development when elected, citing his entrepreneurial background and leadership experience.
“Ogbonna has the competence to consolidate on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s infrastructural legacy while addressing our constituency’s pressing needs in education, agriculture, and energy,” said Engr. Anyanwu Ikechi, a keynote speaker at the event.
Beyond politics, Ogbonna has gained national recognition for his advocacy on youth inclusion and development. During the 2025 International Youth Day, he called on leaders to invest in rural job creation, stressing that “global progress begins in communities.”
He also urged young Nigerians to reject vote buying and participate meaningfully in governance, noting that “the youth must shape the Nigeria they want to inherit.”
Similarly, in his Democracy Day message, Ogbonna urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in defending democracy despite prevailing economic hardships, while reaffirming support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision.
“We must stand united in purpose and preserve our democracy,” he said. “June 12 reminds us of our shared dreams for justice, unity, and prosperity.”
With increasing endorsements from political, youth, and community platforms, Ifeanyi Ogbonna’s political trajectory appears to be gaining unstoppable momentum.
His supporters describe him as a “bridge between the old and young” and a “symbol of the renewed optimism” across Arochukwu and Ohafia.
As the APC intensifies preparations for 2027, party leaders and observers agree that Ogbonna’s popularity, philanthropy, and grassroots credibility may well make him the most electable candidate to return the constituency to the national mainstream.
