The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha, has denied allegations that he diverted and sold two truckloads of rice donated by President Bola Tinubu for his constituents.
A former Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Charles Ogbonna, had accused the lawmaker of diverting the rice and selling it in the market in connivance with his in-law.
Ogbonna also challenged Aguocha to take legal action against him if the allegations were untrue.
However, in a statement, Aguocha dismissed the claims as false, malicious and fabricated.
He insisted that neither he nor anyone acting on his instructions diverted or sold any truckload of rice or other palliatives.
The lawmaker maintained that food relief items allocated to his constituents under the relevant appropriation provisions were distributed transparently through established and verifiable community-based channels.
Aguocha described the allegations as a smear campaign, claiming that his relationship with Ogbonna deteriorated after he cautioned the former commissioner against making what he described as unfounded allegations against Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
The lawmaker, who is seeking re-election in 2027, alleged that his political opponents were spreading false claims because they could not defeat him in a fair election.
He accused those behind the allegations of attempting to damage his reputation and weaken his political standing ahead of the polls.
According to him, the claims could also provoke hostility among constituents who might believe that relief materials meant for them had been diverted.
“Beyond the obvious attempt at character assassination, this orchestrated campaign was deliberate in its design to incite my constituents to anger, hatred, and mob violence against my person and office,” he said.
He added that making false claims about the alleged sale of public palliatives was particularly dangerous amid the country’s difficult economic conditions.
“In a challenging economic climate, falsely telling citizens that public palliatives meant for them were stolen and sold is a dangerous, reckless tactic calculated to trigger civil unrest and bodily harm,” Aguocha said.
Aguocha vowed to pursue legal action against Ogbonna and others allegedly involved in making the accusations.
He said his legal team was already compiling evidence in preparation for the proposed action.
The lawmaker also urged his constituents to remain calm and vigilant, insisting that the controversy would not distract him from his legislative duties or his re-election bid in 2027.
The allegations and denial come amid a dispute over the handling of food relief items reportedly intended for constituents in the federal constituency.
No independent evidence establishing whether the rice was diverted or sold was provided in the report.
