Politics in Abia has entered a new conversation, and at the center of it in Bende Federal Constituency is a simple proposition from the Labour Party flagbearer, Dr. Chima Anyaso, popularly known as “Ofuji”: tie the representation of Bende directly to the blueprint already working in Umuahia.
If that is truly his core manifesto, to support Governor Alex C. Otti’s administration and align with his style of leadership while carrying Bende’s voice to the National Assembly, then the people of Bende have more than a slogan. They have a measurable standard to hold their next representative to.
The question voters should be asking is not whether alignment sounds good. It is this: what exactly is Ofuji signing up to emulate?
Because Governor Otti’s first term has already created a reference point, and it is hard to ignore.
What the Otti record looks like
Effective leadership: Decisions are being made quickly and communicated clearly. From civil service reforms to restoring confidence in governance, the tone at the top has changed.
People-centered governance: Policy is being weighed against its impact on the ordinary Abian, the trader in Aba, the farmer in Bende, the teacher waiting on salaries.
Massive infrastructural development: Roads long abandoned are being opened up. The focus on connectivity is not cosmetic. It is about moving goods, people, and opportunities.
Financial prudence: There is a visible effort to block leakages and ensure that money meant for projects actually gets to projects.
Transparent administration: Budgets, appointments, and project tracking are being subjected to more public scrutiny than we have seen in a long time.
Inclusive leadership: Governance is not being run as a one-man show. Professionals, technocrats, and community stakeholders are being brought to the table.
Delivery of dividends of democracy: People are beginning to feel government in tangible ways, not just in speeches.
That is the record Ofuji says he wants to support.
What that means for Bende
Representation at the National Assembly is not just about presence in Abuja. It is about bills, oversight, constituency projects, and the ability to pull federal resources back home.
If Ofuji’s commitment is genuine, then Bende can expect three things:
1. Policy coherence: A House member who is not fighting his own governor, but working with the state to ensure federal programs land properly in Bende. That alignment reduces friction and speeds up delivery.
2. Project-driven representation: With Otti’s emphasis on infrastructure and accountability, a like-minded representative can lobby for federal roads, health facilities, and youth empowerment programs that fit into the same template.
3. Credibility: Voters are tired of representatives who disappear after elections. Aligning with a governor who is being judged daily on results creates pressure on the representative to also show results.
This is not about hero worship. It is about strategy. When the state and federal representation row in the same direction, constituencies win.
The 2027 test
Come 2027, Dr. Chima Anyaso will be asking Bende people for their mandate to represent them in the House of Representatives. His pitch is already clear: I will back what is working in Abia, and I will bring that same discipline to Abuja.
If he means it, and if he can demonstrate the capacity, network, and grassroots connection to deliver, then Bende has every reason to be optimistic. The constituency needs purposeful representation, not noise. It needs someone who understands that development is built on consistency, not on switching sides with every political wind.
The Otti administration has set a bar. Ofuji is saying he wants to meet it.
For Bende, the conversation now shifts from promises to proof. Can Ofuji translate alignment into roads, jobs, healthcare, and stronger federal presence for Bende? Can he be the bridge between Umuahia’s reforms and Abuja’s resources?
If the answer is yes, then Bende may finally be looking at representation that matches the moment.
– Iroegbu Emenike
Publicity Secretary
Abia State, Labour Party
