[OPINION] Otti, LP, Ben Kalu And Development Of Abia State

By ThankGod Ntaku

The media, particularly online media, have been awash following the recent video clip of an interview granted by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, that has gone viral.

What is it really that Kalu has said that has provoked so many reactions from well-meaning individuals across party lines in Abia State. For the benefit of Nigerians who may not have taken time to watch and listen attentively to the video clip, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu had said that this would be the last time a Labour Governor would govern Abia State. “This will be the last time that a Labour Governor will govern Abia State. I say this without mincing words. The next Governor of Abia State will be APC. I will not be number six in the country and another party will govern my State”, the Deputy Speaker had said.

In trying to explain himself, Kalu made it very clear that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been working very hard both in Abia and at the federal level. He highlighted the fact that the people of Abia, being a people that loves to show gratitude would repay Mr. President, considering all he has done for Abia and the South East, ranging from signing the South East Development Commission, SEDC, bill into law, appointing Abians into his administration to making sure that other dividends of democracy reach the State. The Deputy Speaker only added that APC would not help Abia to be strong and LP would take the credit.

It is not arguable that Ben Kalu has, in addition to effectively discharging the responsibilities entrusted on him as the Deputy Speaker of the green chamber, maintained a very close relationship with the Executive Governor of Abia State, and has, on a good of times, commended the Governor on the giant strides he has been making in developing the State. In the interview, also, Kalu never said categorically that Otti would not be Governor of Abia State in 2027, rather that APC, and not LP would occupy the Government House in Abia, come 2027.

However, we must not forget an Igbo proverb that says that a deaf man who does not hear the sound of harmattan, does he not feel the cold of the harmattan season. The news of men and women of substance defecting regularly to the Abia APC is every where, and these wouldn’t be the case if the party has not been lobbying individuals to do a brand switch. From Abia North, to Abia Central, and to Abia South, there have been massive defections into the APC, and we still have more than two years to the next general elections.

Much as it seemed normal for members of the Labour Party, LP, particularly, the member representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha and the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe to have reacted vociferously to the interview by the Deputy Speaker, as they were bound to protect the political platform that brought them to power, it is germane to point out that Hon. Kalu neither disrespected nor denigrated the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, as Hon. Aguocha would want the public to believe. It needs be stated that if the Governor had felt demeaned by the comments of the Deputy Speaker, his media handlers, would have, by now, issued an official statement. It is equally important to have Hon. Aguocha know that the comments made by Rt. Hon. Kalu showed leadership at it best, as leaders exude confidence, and are always clear, optimistic in their public communications.

Hon. Aguocha inadvertently praised the Deputy Speaker when he canvassed that Abia lawmakers in the National Assembly should focus on legislative duties, their constituents and the South East, since he obviously knows the quality input of Hon. Kalu in the House of Representatives, and his contributions towards the empowerment of people of Bende Federal Constituency.

The Abia APC will like to assure Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, since he had stated that he understood the intentions of Hon. Ben Kalu, as a politician, that the Deputy Speaker will continue to lobby personalities in Abia, including the Governor Otti to join the APC, as working together with all men of good-will is a desideratum towards meaningful development of Abia State.

The concern of the Deputy Speaker, beyond every other thing, is for Abia to grow exponentially using the huge allocations from the Tinubu led administration, and the resources in the State, which when tapped fully, will turn Abia into the dream of its founding fathers.

ThankGod Ntaku is a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress, APC.