Ohafia Darkness
OpenLife Editorial reflects on the state of Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State
In Ohafia, night falls early.
For close to a decade, the ancient town known for its warrior history and brave sons has lived without electricity. Generators roar, businesses groan, and youths study in darkness.It is from this darkness that a political challenge is now echoing across Abia State.
Kalu Kalu, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and an indigene of Ohafia Local Government Area, has thrown a bold gauntlet to Governor Alex Otti: Show one single project your administration has executed in Ohafia, and I will drop my governorship ambition.
Kalu made the declaration on Friday during an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, where he alleged that his local government has received over N16 billion in allocations in the last three and a half years — 42 months — with nothing to show for it from the state government.
“I am from Ohafia LG of Abia State, and I’m placing it on record here that my local government has received over N16 billion for the past three and a half years,” Kalu said.
He dared Arise TV to take its cameras to Ohafia and ask the governor and his handlers to point to any project.”Let Alex Otti and his handlers show your station any project that his government has done for the people of Ohafia Local Government.
Not one,” he said.”If your station will go to Ohafia Local Government and show one single project Alex Otti has done for the people of Ohafia Local Government, I will drop my gubernatorial ambition,” he vowed.
The claim has reopened an old wound in Ohafia — the prolonged blackout.”Close to 10 years running, my local government or Ohafia Local Government has not seen any electricity anywhere,” Kalu alleged.
From Amaekpu to Ebem, from Elu to Asaga, residents recount the same story: a once-vibrant commercial hub crippled by lack of power, with welders, cold-room operators and tailors spending more on diesel than profit.
The N16 billion question, therefore, is not just about figures on allocation papers. It is about visibility. Where did the money go? What has 42 months of allocation translated to on the ground for the people of Ohafia?
The Otti administration, which came into office on May 29, 2023 on a promise of transparency and rebuilding Abia, is yet to respond to the specific allegation as of press time. The government has, however, consistently maintained that it is executing projects across the 17 local government areas and publishing financial records.
For Kalu, the 2027 governorship race will be about restoring hope and stemming the japa tide.”Our young people do not have hope again in this country. They all believe that the greener pasture is outside the shores of this country,” he said.
He promised that if elected, his administration from May 29, 2027 would make Abia attractive enough for young people to stay and thrive.”By the grace of God, on the 29th day of May 2027, I will reveal the thinking, first of all, of the young people in Abia State that they don’t need to leave Abia to go to any place for greener pastures,” he said.
But beyond campaign promises, the immediate question hanging over Ohafia is simple: When will the lights come back on, and what has N16 billion in 42 months done for a local government in darkness?
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