Aguocha tackles Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu for saying Otti ‘ll be last LP gov in Abia
. You aren’t Otti’s spokesman, Bende professionals fires back at Aguocha
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
War of words has ensued between the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Obi Aguocha; and the kinsmen of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, over a media comment credited to the Deputy Speaker.
Kalu (APC), had reportedly said that Gov. Alex Otti would be the last Labour Party Governor in Abia, boasting that the All Progressives Congress, would claim the state in 2027.
But peeved by the Deputy Speaker’s comment, Aguocha who accused him of denigrating the Governor by his “disrespectful remark”, told Kalu to stop overating himself.
He said that the Deputy Speaker who had admitted that Otti had performed creditably, lacked the powers to declare Otti’s seat vacant ahead of 2027.
Aguocha who accused the Deputy Speaker of making boastful remarks, also threatened that his seat could be declared vacant by the people.
Aguocha wrote:” I made a comment on our Abia Caucus House of Representatives only forum in respect to a recent trending video about your personal opinion and open declaration of Abia State becoming an APC state in 2027.
“My first inclination was that of shock, maybe that the video was an Artificial Intelligence [AI] generated skit. Alas, it was real.
“My dear colleague, your open vituperation and remarks against our Governor, Labour Party, and Abia State was very condescending, denigrating, and disrespectful in every sense of the word.
“Your personal opinion and partisanship aside. Your patently repeated boasting and referring to yourself as NO.6 in the order of leadership hierarchy of the Federal Government seen in the video clip portrays you less as a leader and more like a man with an open display of brazenness and rabid indiscretion. I would have advised you otherwise.
“My brother, we are distinguished colleagues with you representing the good people of Bende Federal Constituency. Whilst we elected you to be our Deputy Speaker, it does not confer on you an audacity to declare vacant the seat of the governor of Abia State in 2027.
“By your own striking admission that “Dr. Alex Otti is your friend, and that he has done very well, too, for our people, but that you, Hon. Ben Kalu owes your party, APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a duty to deliver Abia State, a Labour Party state to your party at the center as payback for the President’s political patronage to the Southeast viz; signing the Southeast Development Commission Act, etcetera.” What a brazen and uncontrolled outpouring of emotional fury.
“You went on to declare that the President’s party, the APC, will take over Abia State by 2027. I have known you to exhume boldness, which is often misconstrued as excessive arrogance but not this type of pugnacious instability.”
But in a swift reaction in defense of the Deputy Speaker, a group known as Old Bende Young Professionals, carpeted Aguocha for knocking the Deputy Speaker.
The group in a strong-worded statement jointly signed by the President, Chima Ogbonnaya; the Vice, Francis Ezeh; and Secretary, Chief Dike Chidozie, declared support for the Deputy Speaker over his prediction that APC would claim Abia in 2027.
The statement read:”The Old Bende Young Professionals, stand firmly behind our son, the Honourable Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu. His recent political prediction of an APC victory in the 2027 Abia governorship election is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the progress and development of Abia State.
“We take great exception to the Labour Party’s dismissive reaction, particularly from the accidental Hon Obinna Aguocha, who has failed to deliver meaningful results for his constituents but has taken up the role of unofficial spokesperson for the Governor while his contemporaries are busy attracting dividends of democracy to their various constituencies.
“Instead of politicizing sensitive issues like the release of Nnamdi Kanu, we urge the good people of the Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency to take immediate action and recall the accidental Hon Obinna Aguocha to avoid further embarrassment being brought to them by their own son.”
The group challenged Aguocha to present his score cards for assessment before tackling the Deputy Speaker who it claimed, had given good account of himself.
“The recent signing of the Southeast Development Commission bill into law by the President is a shining example of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu’s dedication to the region’s growth. This landmark achievement, born out of his vision and perseverance, will bring about unprecedented development and opportunities for our people.
“Gone are the days when political waves swept unprepared individuals into power. The era of leadership by chance is behind us, and the time for purposeful, visionary leadership is upon us.
“Our people deserve a government that will work in tandem with the center to attract investments, create jobs, and improve living standards. Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu’s prediction is not just a statement of confidence in the APC’s chances but a call to action for all Abians to rally behind a proven leader who has consistently delivered on his promises.
“We will no longer tolerate representatives who prioritize political grandstanding over tangible results. It is time for accountability and leadership driven by results. The Old Bende Young Professionals will continue to promote the interests of our people, regardless of political affiliations. We will not let the Labour Party’s lackluster performance distract us from our mission to build a better future for Abia State.
“We urge the Labour Party to focus on selling their manifesto to the people rather than disparaging the APC’s chances. The election will be decided by the voters, and we are confident that they will choose the party that has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver on its promises.”
The group commended President Tinubu for signing the South East development Commission Bill sponsored by Kalu into law.
“We also use this medium to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr President for signing the Southeast Development Commission bill into law, a testament to his commitment to the region’s growth and development. This bill will bring significant infrastructural improvements, job creation, and economic opportunities to the Southeast, further solidifying our region’s role in the nation’s progress.”
The group also urged President Tinubu to heed the clamour for political solution for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“We respectfully call on Mr President to explore a political solution to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a move that will further demonstrate his dedication to national unity and reconciliation.
“As we look forward to the 2027 Abia governorship election, we are confident that our state will align with the federal government, and the APC will be at the helm, driving progress and prosperity for all. The time for decisive, results-driven leadership has come, and Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu is the leader who can and will deliver for the people of Abia State.”
Rep Aguocha had told Kalu to use his privileged position as the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, to address the marginalisation of South East, and not for personal aggrandizement.
“Sir, you must now use that all-important position as Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives to de-marginalize and reduce the agitation of our people and promote inclusiveness.
Continuing, he wrote:”My beloved brother, with due respect, your comments lacked introspection and reeks in recklessness, discernment, lack of humility, lack of rationality, and totally very unreasonable.
“If your ambition is to become the governor of Abia State by 2027, it is your right, but make it plain rather than hiding yourself in the shadows of discontent and display of insincerity and intemperate political culture.
“But I assure you that as you want Abians to repay Tinubu for his good works, so shall Abians repay Alex Otti for his mammoth achievements come 2027. Alex Otti will be reelected governor of Abia State.
“In your recent visits and encounters with His Excellency, “De Alley” as you fondly call him, you had seized every opportunity to debunk many tales of your ambition for the governorship stool of Abia State come 2027 and each time pledging loyalty and support to the demonstrable and visible achievements of governor Alex Otti.”
Meanwhile, Aguocha had plainly told Kalu to perish his governorship ambition in 2027 “because there is no vacancy in Abia Government House”.
He further wrote:”My Honourable colleague, you should be made to know that there’s no vacancy in Abia State in 2027.
“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. Recall that the Labour Party also won Bende Federal Constituency in 2023. We can also be brazen enough to declare that seat vacant again.
“My Right Honourable, this is not the first time the Southeast was blessed with the position of the Deputy Speaker. Right Honourable (Chief) Emeka Ihedioha in 2011. The opportunity now ought not be wasted only in rubbing shoulders and chanting your No 6 position at every opportunity.
“Sir, may it please you to note: while we appreciate President Tinubu for signing the Southeast Development Commission into law along side Development Commissions for every geo-political zone in the country, We have not seen or heard our leader, the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Right Honourable Dr. Tajudeen Abbas cajoling and mocking his people of the Northwest with his own feat of including the Northwest in the Development Commissions as the No 4 citizen in the federation. Humility is indeed a virtue.
“Right Honourable, methinks we should elevate the noble ideals of demonstrable unity and stop chiding yourself by each time dropping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name in a manner suggesting that Dr Alex Otti is at war with the President. President Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti had known each other, spanning their various careers for at least 20 years of their personal relationships. You have just arrived on the national stage in the last one year. So what is all this talk about “APC must take Abia to Tinubu?”
“Lastly, my dear brother, please be reminded that the Labour Party under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti took Abia State by a landslide in an election in which APC scored less than 4% of total state-wide votes to come a distant 4th position while Labour Party secured at least 65% of the lawful votes rendered. Dr. Alex Otti has since coming into the fray shown overwhelming capacity in transforming the state and changing our once negative narrative. To dream of taking Abia under the Labour Party government to APC will take much more than mere grandstanding.
“Abia people are still safe and will remain so with a high performing Alex Otti by 2027 and beyond. In the light of this, my sincere advice for you, my worthy and esteemed colleague should be to try a new political project if the position of the Deputy Speaker and the No.6 in the country is now belittling to your status.”
