UMUAHIA – Chief Ralph Egbu, a prominent Labour Party chieftain and former Secretary to the Abia State Government, has issued a strong condemnation of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his recent verbal attacks on Governor Alex Otti.
Chief Egbu’s rebuke follows statements made by Kalu during two separate events: the recent commissioning of projects by Governor Otti, and a separate event held by the Deputy Speaker on Sunday.
The former SSG accused Kalu of a breach of protocol, stating that it was inappropriate for the Deputy Speaker to deliver what resembled a “state of the state address” at a function organized by the state Governor.
“Going ahead to try to play down the Governor’s great achievements was a clear act of sabotage,” Egbu stated. He emphasized that Kalu, by virtue of his office, has ample platforms in Abuja to express his views, including direct access to the President.
“Then coming to Abia to do so was just playing to the gallery and trying to whip up sentiment that has the potential of turning our peaceful state into a political battlefield. That should not be condoned,” Egbu emphasised.
He went further to describe the Deputy Speaker’s language as “undemocratic,” suggesting that in “saner climes,” it would trigger calls for his resignation. This was in reference to Kalu’s comment about “taking Abia” in 2007.
“That is not a democratic language. It shows a predisposition, not only to violence but to manoeuvre electoral processes and subvert them with a view to achieving parochial aims, and that shouldn’t be allowed. So he should be cautioned,” the veteran journalist and former Commissioner for Information warned.
Warning to the Opposition
Chief Egbu also issued a stern warning to opposition members, condemning their attempts to demean Governor Otti in the lead-up to the project commissioning ceremonies.
“I hereby warn opposition party members operating within and outside the state against antics and politics capable of turning the state into a killing field, as is the case in most states across the federation,” he said.
He insisted that Abia has been peaceful and its politics devoid of the destructive manoeuvring seen elsewhere, crediting residents with a readiness to defend the current progress in the state.
Asserting that Governor Otti’s performance has earned him a second term, Egbu declared, “there is no vacancy in Abia Government House in 2027.”
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