Labour Party lawmakers in the House of Representatives have accused Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu of arrogance, political recklessness, and attempts to undermine Governor Alex Otti’s administration in Abia State.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, members of the Abia Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the House of Representatives said they were “dismayed” by what they described as “unguarded and unhealthy utterances” by Hon. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency.
The lawmakers recalled that shortly after assuming office as Deputy Speaker, Kalu “boasted” that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would capture Abia in 2027, flaunting his “number six” ranking in national protocol as though political power were “a personal trophy.”
“Such careless talk was not only unintelligent and insensitive but also unbecoming of a public officer who ought to embody humility and emotional intelligence,” the statement read.
The caucus accused Kalu of “inciting the Federal Government and the ruling party at the centre against the Abia State Government” and of peddling falsehoods to discredit Governor Otti’s administration.
They alleged that Kalu’s actions were “driven by personal ambition and power-drunk tendencies, even at the expense of the peace of Abia State.”
Governor Otti has shown respect to the President and maintained a cordial and constructive relationship with him. In that same spirit, Kalu ought to accord due respect to the Governor—not only because he is the Chief Executive of the state but also out of cultural decorum,” the statement continued.
The legislators reminded the Deputy Speaker that Governor Otti had extended goodwill to him by hosting an elaborate state reception in his honour when he assumed office and by directing LP lawmakers to support his emergence as Deputy Speaker— gestures they said Kalu had failed to reciprocate.
They listed several ongoing federal and state-backed projects facilitated by the Otti administration, including Port Harcourt Road, Ohafia–Arochukwu Road, Omenuko Bridge, and the soon-to-be-flagged Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, describing them as “tangible results that bring hope to ordinary people.”
“As he always boasts of being ‘number six,’ Hon. Kalu ought to leverage his office to support these projects for Abia’s growth rather than playing cheap politics,” the caucus declared.
They cautioned that if Kalu’s “divisive rhetoric” continued, he risked finding himself “at odds with Ndi Abia,” adding that the people were “politically discerning” and could see through his “selfish antics.”
The statement reaffirmed that Governor Otti enjoys a cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu and that “no amount of political scheming” could derail the state’s progress.
“We call on all Abians—young and old, market women and traders, professionals and elders—to stand united behind Governor Otti’s transformational agenda and reject any attempt to drag the state backward,” the lawmakers concluded.
Picture: House of Reps Labour Party Caucus
