Civil Society Group Slams Orji Kalu, Deputy Speaker Over Sowing Seed of Political Discord In Abia

A Civil Society Group, the Abia Coalition For Justice and Equity, ACJE, has faulted recent comments credited to the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu where he criticized the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti.

The former governor had claimed that he was instrumental to the emergence of Dr Alex Otti as the governor of Abia State, saying Otti visited him on the eve of the 2023 gubernatorial elections, based on his political influence.

Orji Kalu also boasted that he would deliver Abia State to APC in 2027, vowing to deploy every weapon in his arsenal to achieve this.

According to the group, recent utterances by Senator Kalu sharply contradict his previous comments where he applauded Governor Otti for a job well done.

The Coalition posited that while it seems the APC political gladiators in the state are bent on taking away power from Dr Alex Otti, the federal government is apparently having a good working relationship with the governor..

The Abia Coalition For Justice and Equity in a statement on Wednesday claimed that recent visits to Governor Alex Otti have exposed a rift within the party, with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu’s discordant narratives contradicting their past commendations of the Governor’s performance.

Reporters have dug up tweets from where Senator Kalu praised Otti’s efforts.

He wrote, “Governor Otti is doing a great job in Abia”.

Similarly, Ben Kalu tweeted that: “Otti’s govt is delivering on promises”

According to them, these statements starkly contrast with their current stance, raising questions about their motives.

It said that Governor Hope Uzodinma’s visit to Otti as Progressive Governors Forum Chairman and South East Coordinator of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Partners suggests a shift in Aso Rock’s stance towards the governor.

Meanwhile, Chief Henry Ikoh’s visit to Otti’s country home, commending his efforts, further highlights the divide within the APC.Recall that Chief Ikoh is currently the Abia state Coordinator of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope.

Reports have it that Aso Rock is distancing itself from Senator Kalu and Ben Kalu’s antagonist approach, which appears driven by selfish interests. Our sources indicate that Otti has purportedly firmed up a political partnership with President Tinubu, which yielded instant political dividends as Hon Obinna Oriaku, an APC chieftain was instantly replaced by an Otti’s aide, Victor Ikeji in the Federal Character Commission as Commissioner representing Abia State.

The Abia Coalition For Justice and Equity demand, consistency and transparency from their leaders.

The statement signed by the Convener of the group, Comrade Okwute Otuonye urged
Sen.Orji Kalu and Hon. Benjamin Kalu to desist from demarketing President Tinubu in their cacophony of inconsistencies and uncouth diatribe.