Owan, Edo North – Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, is facing intense scrutiny and growing backlash from a prominent youth group in his Owan constituency. The “Concerned Owan Youth Vanguard for Action” has launched a scathing attack, accusing the lawmaker of “unforgivable abandonment” of the very people who elected him.

 

The pressure group alleges that since his re-election in 2023 and subsequent elevation to Majority Leader of the 10th National Assembly, Professor Ihonvbere has displayed hypocrisy, arrogance, and an elitist detachment from his constituents.

 

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Comrade Obokhai Ojeifo, spokesperson for the group, expressed strong dissatisfaction in a recent statement, lamenting that despite Professor Ihonvbere’s extensive political career, which includes high-profile appointments dating back to the Obasanjo era, his presence in public office has failed to yield any significant positive impact in Owan land.

“It’s been over a year since his elevation to Majority Leader, and not once has he returned home to address his people. No townhall, no private thanksgiving, not even a small church service to say ‘thank you’. What kind of leader does that?” Comrade Ojeifo fumed.

 

The statement further criticizes what it terms Ihonvbere’s “two-faced politics,” highlighting his public lamentations about the marginalization of Owan people while simultaneously benefiting the most from every political opportunity the region has presented.

 

A Stacked Resume, but What Legacy?

Professor Ihonvbere’s political resume is undeniably impressive, encompassing roles such as Special Adviser to President Obasanjo and Secretary to the Edo State Government before his current position as a federal lawmaker. However, the youth group contends that this long list of titles has not translated into tangible benefits for the people of Owan.

“What legacy can he point to? Who has he empowered? Where is the project we can look at and say ‘this came from our own Majority Leader?’” the statement challenged.

 

The Concerned Owan Youth Vanguard for Action has also called upon the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to demand accountability from the Majority Leader, particularly regarding the 2023 general elections. They questioned his ability to deliver his own ward during the presidential polls that saw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secure victory.

 

Political Earthquake on the Horizon?

Sources suggest that the vocal protest from Owan youths may be more than just an isolated outcry. Insiders believe it could potentially ignite a broader movement against long-serving political elites in Edo North who are perceived as having failed to leverage their influence for grassroots impact.

 

“He’s taken the shine of others who could have used the same platforms to better Owan. Now he acts like Owan is too small to return to,” another member of the group reportedly stated.

 

With the 2027 general elections on the horizon and political sentiments in constant flux, Professor Ihonvbere may find himself facing a formidable challenge beyond his traditional political rivals – the erosion of trust from his own home base.

The coming months will likely reveal whether this growing discontent transforms into a significant political force.