Why is there so much fear in the Labour Party camp about comments made by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, wherein he boldly declared in a viral video that the next Governor of Abia state will be an APC member. I am a card carrying member of APGA but I will 100% support Hon. Ben Kalu, if he decides to contest against iron-fittest Governor Otti.

Ironically, were they of the illusion that the Deputy Speaker, a respected APC leader will deny his party the privilege of providing Abians with a better alternative come 2027?
I have watched the viral video many times, all I could see was a man who love his state and want the best for his people by making sure Abia mainstreams politically. The Deputy Speaker even acknowledged in the video that Governor Alex Otti was doing well, but believes Abia will do better with an APC Governor.

From the viral video, I saw a passionate, bold
Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu who is desirous to see Abia do better than it is currently doing that was why he wants Abia to join the party at the center. Imo-State is an example, please travel to Imo-State today, under APC’S Gov. Hope Uzodimma and witness real infrastructural turnaround with long stretch of roads solidly constructed everywhere in the state. Imo-State progress and rapid transformation assisted by massive Federal government patronage is not social media stories but reality. Any leader will want such Federal government largesse for his state. Rt. Hon Ben Kalu didn’t commit any blunder.

Those who know Rt. Hon Ben Kalu will attest to the fact that the Deputy Speaker is not known to be flippant. He does not speak before thinking, rather his words are always measured and logical. Surprisingly, the Deputy Speaker didn’t in anyway suggest he was going to contest for Governor but merely expressed his desire to see APC form next government in Abia state for obvious reasons which included, strategic positioning of the state for Federal government attention. Abia cannot continue playing opposition forever, Abia is so backward in terms of development.

A closer analysis of what exactly the Deputy Speaker said in the viral video didn’t include any hint, directly or indirectly, that suggested he was personally going to run for Abia govenorship in 2027. Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu in his characteristic manner as a lover of peace, even invited the Governor whom he addressed as his good friend, to join APC and be sure of winning. The Deputy Speaker didn’t mince words when he declared that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has rewarded the South-East with the much elusive South-East Development Commission which would be pivotal in the development of ala igbo; where will Abia be placed when high level positions in the commission begin to get filled? Without a Governor in the same party with Federal government at the center, Abia can only be given what is due them statutorily and nothing more. Realistically, it is strategic to be in the inner room where these serious conversations take place. Rt.Hon. Ben Kalu understands the importance of having your Governor seated at the decision making table and has vowed to work tirelessly for Abia to be on that table from 2027, he needs commendation not these condemnation that are sponsored against him.

To my greatest chagrin, yesterday 22nd of August, 2023, I stumbled upon a poorly written publication on social media, obviously sponsored by panic-stricken Abia Labour party leadership, wherein Abians were asked to sign-up a petition for the recall of Rt. Hon Ben Kalu from the Federal House of Representatives. The Deputy Speaker’s only sin was expressing his personal view and political desire to work hard for an APC Governor to win the 2027 gubernatorial election and subsequently take over Abia government House for the very first time.

Abia Labour party leaders are already gripped by selves-induced fear and trepidation that Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu is nursing the ambition to run against Dr. Alex Otti in 2027; so they have launched a stop him at all cost smear campaign on social media.

Unfortunately for these bunch of desperately unformed labour party leaders, legislative recall process can only be initiated by voters from Bende Federal Constituency; It will be a herculean task for them because the good people of Bende Federal Constituency voted overwhelmingly for Rt. Hon Ben Kalu and are massively supporting him to aspire higher in his political pursuits.

Rt. Hon Ben Kalu has not told us yet that he will contest the 2027 Abia govenorship but henceforth, we shall start mounting pressure on the Deputy Speaker to declare his interest to challenge Governor Otti. The people of Abia North whose turn it was to produce a Governor in 2023 was shortchanged by all the political parties except APGA; this is our time nde Abia North to produce our own Governor in the spirit of equity and fair play. We need a Governor that can unify and equally develop the state. Rt. Hon Ben Kalu is that man that will unify Abians, he will not suffer Abia Public servants or preach hate like we are currently experiencing today in Abia State.

Abia State needs total freedom from divisive government of Labour Party. Myself and my people will decamp to APC once Rt. Hon Ben Kalu answers the clarion call to rescue Abia State from the clutches of wickedness. We are all Abians, we are one people. We are tired of this Labour Party government policy of dividing Abians to be enemies among themselves. We need a Governor in 2027 that will bring peace

Comrade Ndubuisi Awa
APGA, Ward 3 Youth Leader.
Onye aghala nwanne ya.