A member of the House of Representatives representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has criticized Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu’s remarks about Abia State’s political future.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Aguocha expressed his disappointment and dismay over a video in which Kalu declared that Abia State would become an All Progressives Congress (APC) state by 2027.
He emphasised that there is “no vacancy in Abia State in 2027” and expressed confidence that the people of Abia would re-elect Governor Otti based on his achievements.
“As you are aware, for almost 24 years, this is the first time Abia has awakened to great leadership and governance strides. Anyone that doesn’t appreciate Dr. Alex Otti is an avowed enemy of progress”, he said.
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Kalu had said the incumbent governor of Abia State, Otti would be the last the Labour Party produce to govern the state.
According to him, Otti has done well as a governor but that the state needed to be governed by APC because of President Bola Tinubu’s contribution to the state.
But Aguocha, who is a member of the Labour Party, described Kalu’s comments as “condescending, denigrating, and disrespectful” towards the current governor of Abia State and the Labour Party.
He accused Kalu of displaying “brazen indiscretion” and lacking humility in his declaration that the APC would take over the state in the next election.
In the video, Kalu reportedly boasted about his position as the sixth in the federal government’s leadership hierarchy and his commitment to delivering Abia State to the APC as a way of repaying Tinubu for his political patronage to the Southeast.
Aguocha condemned this attitude, urging Kalu to rather focus on his legislative duties and to use his position to reduce marginalisation and promote inclusiveness in the Southeast rather than engaging in what he described as “reckless” political posturing.
He also questioned Kalu’s sincerity, noting that despite Kalu’s previous pledges of loyalty to Governor Otti, his recent comments suggest otherwise.
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