OHAFIA — Tensions have reached a boiling point in the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State as the Ohafia Youth Association (OYA) officially declared Senator Orji Uzor Kalu persona non grata, warning him never to return to the community for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The youths, who staged a protest at the Zone 9 Police Headquarters in Umuahia on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, accused the former governor of “political betrayal and hypocrisy”.
The ‘IPOB Label’ Grievance
The core of the resentment stems from Senator Kalu’s alleged portrayal of Ohafia as an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stronghold during the 2023 elections.
- Voter Disenfranchisement: The youths claim this label led to widespread military operations and voter intimidation, which effectively disenfranchised the local population.
- Stigmatisation: “You cannot criminalise our people one moment and beg for our votes the next,” one protest leader declared, insisting that the community would not be remembered only for “political convenience”.
Accusations of Neglect
Beyond the “IPOB” label, the youth association leveled several charges of poor representation against the Senator:
- Lack of Development: Protesters carried placards demanding to see “visible senatorial projects,” asserting there has been no meaningful road construction or economic intervention in Ohafia during Kalu’s current tenure.
- ‘Insulting’ Empowerment: The group mocked Kalu’s empowerment programmes, alleging that the only items distributed in the area were wheelbarrows, which they described as “symbolic of an insulting developmental agenda”.
Traditional Rulers and Legal Standing
In a swift response to the escalating crisis, the Udumeze Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and the Council of Ohafia Monarchs issued a statement nullifying the youth group’s proclamation.
- Constitutional Rights: The monarchs chided the youths for overstepping their bounds, stating that the ban violates Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of movement and association to all Nigerian citizens.
- Call for Order: The traditional rulers declared the persona non grata tag null and void, warning that such actions are inimical to the peace and progress of the Ohafia community.
Reported Security Incident
The political storm coincides with reports of a serious security breach. On February 2, 2026, Senator Kalu was reportedly nearly abducted by unknown gunmen in Ebem, Ohafia. He was forced to seek refuge in a military facility before being escorted back to Igbere under heavy security. The attackers reportedly left a warning that further political activities in the area would result in “serious damage”.
As of early February 2026, the Senator’s media office has not officially addressed the latest “ban” from the youths, though they previously pledged to publish a comprehensive list of constituency projects to counter claims of neglect
