Chika Nwabueze
His rise as Member House of Representatives is as momentous as his highly celebrated emergence as the President General of Ohuhu Welfare Union worldwide. His impeccable leadership skills and extensive experiences in harnessing human resources to achieve desired results was one of the uncommon virtues that marked him out from the rest. In electing Hon (Sir) Obi Aguocha to the position of President General of the Union in 2020, Ohuhu made one of the best decisions of that time because not only did he galvanize Ndi Ohuhu into participating in the socio-economic and cultural activities of the clan, he equally promoted an Ohuhu political agenda that has culminated in the winning of the Umuahia/Ikwuano federal house of representatives seat, which seemed elusive and hard to get.
Until his voluntary resignation as President General Ohuhu Welfare Union worldwide in July 2022 to pursue his political aspiration to become a member of the federal house of representatives, Hon(Sir) Obinna Aguocha conducted the affairs of Ohuhu Welfare Union with passion and great zeal to the admiration of neighbouring clans earning him the spot as the most progressive community leader of that period.
He organised the first Ohuhu cultural festival (Iri Egwu) and Thanksgiving Service, the first of its kind in Ohuhu clan, which involved all the 27 autonomous communities in Ohuhu land. The celebration was indeed a great display of culture and tradition in its best form, and it also helped to unite and remind the people of their common ancestry.
Indications that Ohuhu would make tremendous impact under the leadership of Sir Obi Aguocha emerged earlier in his administration when he assembled all the notable clergy men in Ohuhu, to join him to rededicate the land and commit the people into the hands of God, at a special church service held at Anglican Church Nkwoegwu. The event was symbolic been that it laid the strong foundation upon which the leadership of Sir Obi Aguocha was able to drive the affairs of Ohuhu to greater heights.
As man with innate ability and passion for good governance, Sir Obi Aguocha inspired hope for a greater Ohuhu clan, mobilizing both the young and old into believing that a new Ohuhu is possible. He had a dream for Ohuhu’s renaissance and he pursued it vigorously without let or hinderances and today the jinx has been broken courtesy of Aguocha’s doggedness.
The role he played during the Covid-19 pandemic in establishing the Ohuhu Covid-19 Relief Fund which attracted millions of Naira in cash and palliatives which was distributed was quite commendable. Perhaps, one of the giant achievements of his leadership was the reconstruction of the collapsed Amaogwugwu/Umuagu bridge with the support of the Andrew Ogbonna Chikwendu Foundation and other well-meaning sons and daughters. a project that he brought up to 80 per cent completion before he left office.
As PG Obi Aguocha espoused kindness, humility and benevolence which were hallmarks of his leadership. The family of Mr and Mrs Chibuzor Ikwunze of Umuagu Ohuhu, who lost their four children after a meal of suya can testify to Obi Aguocha’s milk of human kindness. Such instances abound where he intervened to help families and individuals overcome personal challenges, sacrificing his comfort and resources in the process.
Again, Ohuhu will not forget in a hurry his intervention at Isiokata gully erosion site which posed serious danger to Ndi Ohuhu, especially motorists plying that route. Sir Aguocha true to type mobilized men and resources to carry out palliative works at the gully erosion site to protect the lives of Ndi Ohuhu. This is addition to the Ohuhu Vigilante Security outfit which he launched and used to drive out the threat posed by killer herdsmen in neighbouring communities.
Actually, Obi Aguocha led from the front as he joined the Ohuhu Vigilante team to comb bushes even at late hours of the nights to ensure that Ohuhu is secured under his leadership at the time there was heightened security threats in the state due to the menace of herdsmen.
Obi Aguocha’s journey to the National Assembly started in May 2022, when Ndi Ohuhu including the men, women and youths from all the various communities besieged his house at Umuohuru Nkwoegwu, on a mission to urge him to contest for the federal house of representative seats. Chief Arthur Nwamara, who spoke on behalf of the group, called on Aguocha to step out and defend the rights of Ohuhu people by contesting for the election as Reps member.
He said as PG, Aguocha raised the leadership standard and set new template in good governance with transparency as his watch word. He informed that Ohuhu wants represent Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency at the national level.
The contest for the Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency seat, especially between Hon Obi Aguocha of the Labour Party, LP, and his main opponent the former speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Engr Chinedum Orji of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was fiercest. It also reopened the ancient rivalry between the Ohuhu clan and its Ibeku neighbours.
In the final analysis, Hon Obi Aguocha proved bookmakers who thought that the former Abia Speaker was formidable and unbeatable wrong by winning with wide margin. Aguocha made true his promise not to allow the T.A Orji’s family take what is Ohuhu’s right. He scored 48,199 votes to defeat Orji who got 35, 196 votes at the election.
On Tuesday 13th June, 2023 Hon Aguocha and other parliamentarians of the 10th National Assembly were inaugurated as Member representing Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency. Congratulatory messages have continued pour in from various quarters, including from Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia the founder of Team Nwa-Abia Movement and former house of assembly candidate.
In a brief message to his constituents Aguocha assured that he would discharge his duties without any air of arrogance or presumptions, but will be guided by the awesomely fear of God”.