By Mercy Gadia Adi
The camp of Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe has dismissed recent allegations by Honourable Obinna Ichita, describing them as baseless and an attempt to distort the senator’s legacy of service to Abia South and Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Anderson Osiebe, Executive Director of HallowMace Foundation Africa, the senator’s achievements in the Senate and his constituency were outlined as evidence of his consistent delivery and fearless advocacy.
The statement highlighted Senator Abaribe’s sponsorship of key bills, including amendments to the Electricity Act, the establishment of a Federal University of Petroleum and Geological Sciences in Ukwa West LGA, and the creation of the Out-of-Home Media Practitioners Council of Nigeria.
Abaribe, a former Senate Minority Leader (2019–2022), is currently Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power. His bold call for former President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over insecurity, and his recent defense of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, were cited as proof of his courage in holding the executive accountable.
The camp refuted claims of underperformance, pointing to solar-powered streetlights installed in 139 communities, a ₦235 million 33KVA transmission line from Ovom to Azumini, rehabilitation of over 50 roads across Aba North and Aba South, educational support programs, and facilitation of federal employment opportunities.
“These projects demonstrate a deliberate and multi-sectoral approach to development,” Osiebe noted, stressing that dismissing solar-powered lights as “Chinese-made” trivializes the real impact felt by rural communities.
On accusations of political inconsistency, the statement defended Abaribe’s move from PDP to APGA as a strategic decision aligned with the aspirations of his people, and his support for Governor Alex Otti as performance-driven rather than partisan.
It further stressed that Abaribe remains one of the few politicians who staked personal liberty for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by acting as surety in 2018, a move that led to his arrest by the DSS.
The rejoinder urged Abia South constituents to reject “politics of insults and falsehood” and instead embrace issue-based debate.
“Senator Abaribe, known as Nmagha Ndigbo (Pride of the Igbo People), remains steadfast in serving with integrity, courage, and an unwavering focus on development,” He concluded.