The Old Bende Political Forum has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to allocate the Abia North Senate seat to Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, citing years of marginalisation.
The Chairman, Mr John Okafor stated this while addressing newsmen, arguing that the constituency has been unfairly represented in the senatorial seat.
Okafor noted that Arochukwu/Ohafia has only produced a senator once since 1999, while other constituencies have had multiple turns.
He emphasised that equity demands the seat should now revert to Arochukwu/Ohafia.
“Isuikwuato/Umunneochi have held it four times with Sen. Ike Nwachukwu and Sen. Uche Chukwumereije, while Bende Federal Constituency has gone twice with Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, the incumbent.
“Equity demands that it should now revert to Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, he said.
Okafor highlighted Ohafia Local Government Area’s (LGA) dominance in holding political offices within the constituency, having produced the deputy governor of the state for three tenures.
The group urged APC to give the ticket to Dr Philips Nto, a former Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, from Arochukwu LGA for justice and equity.
Okafor also suggested that with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu likely to be the APC governorship candidate, it makes sense to move the Senate seat to Arochukwu LGA for balance.
He expressed confidence that the APC will win Abia in 2027 if the two candidates are fielded with other equally qualified candidates from the other zones.
