Abia North 2027: Bourdex Banks on Business, Public Experience in Senate Bid

As Nigeria’s political atmosphere gradually gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the electorate in Abia North Senatorial District is already assessing the credentials of those seeking to represent them. Leading the race is the Labour Party senatorial aspirant, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex (MFR, OON), who says his ambition for the Red Chamber is not merely a quest for another political office but the natural culmination of a lifetime of experience

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Speaking during an exclusive interview on The Bourdex Hour, simulcast on Magic 102.9 FM, Masters 105.9 FM, Flo FM 94.9, and streamed on All Facts Newspaper’s platforms, the renowned industrialist and former Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area explained how his journey through the private sector and grassroots governance has prepared him to represent the people of Abia North.

Before venturing into politics, Chief Bourdex had already established himself in the corporate world. As the founder of Bodex Telecom, the first privately owned telecommunications company in the former Eastern Region, with operations across the South-East and South-South, he said he gained firsthand knowledge of the realities of Nigeria’s business environment.

“Business became my first university after formal education. It taught me lessons that no classroom could ever teach,” Chief Bourdex said. “It taught me what it means to create jobs instead of waiting for one. It taught me how poor roads quickly destroy profitability, how unreliable electricity cripples production, and how inconsistent government policies discourage investment.”

According to him, these were more than business challenges—they were life lessons that deepened his empathy for ordinary Nigerians and struggling entrepreneurs. He noted that every salary he paid represented a family whose dignity depended on the success of his enterprise, reinforcing his belief that hard work is a privilege and integrity is worth more than material possessions.

While the corporate world taught him efficiency and productivity, his appointment by Governor Alex Otti as the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area introduced him to the deeper responsibilities of public service.

Recounting his first day in office, Chief Bourdex described the level of decay he inherited.

“When I resumed as Mayor of Ohafia, I met a local government headquarters that looked as if the civil war had just ended,” he recalled. “The place was so dilapidated and run-down that there were no functional offices. Workers were sitting under trees, utterly demoralised.”

Despite the overwhelming challenges, he said he remembered the mandate given to him by Governor Otti to transform local government administration from a mere salary-paying institution into a centre for genuine grassroots development. Within just 11 months, he said, his administration transformed the secretariat, demonstrating the impact of purposeful leadership.

“Government is different,” he reflected. “Every decision affects human lives. I discovered that consultation is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom. Serving as Mayor became my second university. It taught me patience, consensus-building and, above all, that leadership is stewardship.”

Responding to claims by opposition parties that the Labour Party lacks grassroots support and only benefited from the “Peter Obi wave,” Chief Bourdex firmly defended both his party and Governor Alex Otti.

He argued that Governor Otti’s electoral victories were the result of years of preparation, a clear vision and strong grassroots support.

“In 2027, we are going to witness the Alex Otti wave,” Bourdex declared. “To say that His Excellency came into office because of the ‘Obi wave’ is a false narrative. He won elections in 2015 and 2019. Abia has never had it this good. Today, the state is one massive project site.”

He added that his decision to contest on the platform of the Labour Party was deliberate, as its vision aligns with his aspirations for the development of Abia North and the broader transformation agenda of Governor Otti.

Asked why he was seeking election to the Senate despite the stiff competition, Chief Bourdex said he does not view the Senate as a place to learn the ropes but as the ideal platform to apply the wealth of experience he has acquired over the years.

“I do not see the Senate as the next political office; I see it as the natural culmination of everything my life has prepared me for,” he said. “Business gave me practical experience. Public service gave me administrative experience. Community engagement gave me a deeper understanding of our people’s hopes and aspirations.”

Chief Bourdex also revealed that he has spent recent years studying legislation, public policy and national development, guided by his belief that “representation should never begin after election day; preparation must come first.”

As preparations for the 2027 election gather pace, the Labour Party senatorial aspirant says he is bringing his wealth of experience, energy, commitment and integrity to the task of representing Abia North. If his achievements in the private sector and the transformation of Ohafia Local Government Area are any indication, the district may indeed be on the verge of a significant political shift.