The Parliamentary Advocacy Network (PAN) has warned individuals and organisations against what it described as attempts to blackmail political leaders, particularly the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, following the dismissal of a petition filed against him.
PAN issued the warning while reacting to the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), which threw out allegations that Kalu served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) while simultaneously attending the Nigerian Law School.
The petition, submitted by Barrister John Aikpokpo Martins, accused the Deputy Speaker of professional misconduct, claiming he participated in both programmes at the same time.
However, the LPDC ruled that the petition failed to establish a prima facie case. The committee stated that there was no sufficient basis to invite or investigate Kalu over the allegation.
In a statement on Thursday, PAN’s National Coordinator, Ambassador Anderson Osiebe, praised the committee for what he described as its professional and patriotic handling of the matter.
Osiebe cautioned against the use of baseless accusations and social media campaigns aimed at damaging the reputation of public officials, noting that such actions weaken democratic institutions and leadership.
He also criticised the petitioner and a group known as Abia Patriots for allegedly promoting the allegations online, urging them to stop what he termed unnecessary attacks on public office holders.
PAN further said political stakeholders in Abia State should celebrate Kalu, pointing out that he remains the highest-ranking political office holder from the South-East region.
The group advised critics to adopt constructive engagement rather than spreading claims that could distract leaders from carrying out their duties.
While congratulating the Deputy Speaker on the LPDC’s decision, PAN also appealed to him to forgive those behind the petition in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan and Lent seasons.
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