2027 Abia North: Those Who Opposed Chukwumerije at 73 Now Backing Bourdex at 74 – Cleric

A cleric, Chika Ubani, has criticised those promoting Chief David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex for the Abia North Senatorial seat, accusing them of political inconsistency and ignoring what he described as the achievements of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in education, infrastructure and human capital development.

Ubani said it was contradictory for some political actors who opposed the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije’s re-election bid in 2015 on account of his age to now campaign for Bourdex, whom he said is 74 years old.

In a statement, the cleric recalled that Chukwumerije was 73 at the time and said some of the same political interests held protests and press conferences arguing that Abia North needed younger representation.

According to him, it is therefore difficult to understand why age has suddenly ceased to matter simply because Bourdex is now their preferred candidate.

“Those who said Senator Uche Chukwumerije was too old to seek another term at 73 in 2015 are today projecting David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex at 74. What has changed? Is 74 now younger than 73 because of political interests?” Ubani asked.

He further argued that Bourdex does not possess the grassroots connection or temperament required to effectively represent the people of Abia North, describing him as an elitist politician who, in his view, has remained distant from ordinary people.

Ubani also recalled that Bourdex did not contest the 2023 senatorial election, saying his current emergence as an alternative to Kalu should be examined against his previous position on seeking elective office.

The cleric said the debate over representation in Abia North should instead focus on measurable impact, particularly investments capable of transforming communities and creating opportunities for future generations.

He pointed to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s interventions in education, road infrastructure and human capital development, saying more than 100 students from Abia North have benefited from scholarships and educational opportunities in different countries.

According to him, Kalu’s representation has also attracted the construction and rehabilitation of more than 100 rural roads as well as the renovation and construction of more than 100 schools across the senatorial district.

Ubani said Kalu’s educational interventions did not begin recently, noting that since 2019, pupils and students across Abia North have benefited from school uniforms, STEM textbooks, school bags and other educational materials.

He also highlighted Kalu’s free education initiatives, free school transportation programmes and sponsorship of young people for professional and specialised training, including opportunities outside Nigeria.

“What empowerment can be greater than investing in the future of our children and youths?” he asked.

“Some people believe empowerment is only when a tricycle or motorcycle is handed directly to them. But when you give a child education, provide textbooks, renovate the school where that child learns, construct the road leading to the community and sponsor young people for advanced training, you are building an entire generation.

“More than 100 Abia North students are benefiting from scholarships and educational opportunities in different parts of the world. More than 100 rural roads have been constructed or rehabilitated, while more than 100 schools have received interventions. These are things that should form the basis of any serious conversation about representation.

“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has consistently supported pupils with uniforms, STEM textbooks and school bags since 2019. There have been free education programmes, free buses for schoolchildren and significant investment in the education and training of our youths.

“What empowerment is greater than securing the future of our children? A motorcycle may serve one person, but quality education can transform a family and, ultimately, an entire community.”

Ubani urged the people of Abia North to judge those seeking to represent them on their records, accessibility, capacity and measurable contributions to the development of the district rather than what he described as personal political interests.

He maintained that the senatorial district should consolidate on projects and human-capital investments already attracted to its communities instead of abandoning what he described as development-oriented representation.

“Abia North cannot afford to turn representation into an experiment. The question should be simple: who has demonstrated the capacity to attract projects, invest in our children, develop our communities and give our young people opportunities to compete anywhere in the world?

“For me, that is the kind of empowerment that has lasting value,” Ubani said.