Civil Society Group Challenges Aguocha Over Claim of Saving 22,000 Jobs

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A civil society organisation, Cognitive Justice, has challenged the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, to provide evidence supporting his claim that he helped save more than 22,000 jobs across Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, by the group’s spokesperson, Emeka Opara.

Opara called on the lawmaker to publish details of the individuals and positions allegedly preserved through his intervention.

According to Opara, Nigerians deserve transparency regarding the claim, particularly as it relates to workers said to possess certificates from tertiary institutions in the Republic of Benin and who are employed in the Nigerian civil service and related agencies.

“As a civil society organisation, our core responsibility is to seek clarity, justice, accountability and transparency from elected and appointed public officials,” Opara stated.

The group said it had observed widespread reports crediting Aguocha with saving the jobs of over 22,000 Nigerian workers and questioned the basis of the assertion.

Questions Over Legislative Performance

Cognitive Justice described the claim as “misleading” and “unsubstantiated,” alleging that it was designed to generate public sympathy and political support.

The organisation further argued that the lawmaker should focus on presenting a verifiable record of his activities in the National Assembly.

The statement noted that constituents in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency were eager to see details of Aguocha’s achievements over the past three years.

Claims should include constituency projects, budget appropriations, oversight functions, and legislative contributions.

“We have it in good faith and due diligence that the good people of his constituency are impatiently waiting for him to publish his verifiable scorecard, constituency projects, appropriations, oversight functions and bills passed into law during his tenure in the House of Representatives,” the statement read.

Call for Public Verification

The group challenged Aguocha to make public what it described as the “over 22,000 purported jobs” he claimed to have saved.

“Nigerians will be glad to see the evidence, names, video interviews, pictures, descriptions of the jobs and phone numbers of the citizens he postulated to have saved,” Opara said.

As of the time of filing this report, Hon. Aguocha had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demand for evidence.