Table of Contents
- Criticism from the Abia Government
- Kalu's Comments on Otti's Administration
- Response from Governor Otti's Adviser
- Final Advice to Kalu
The Abia government has criticized the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, stating that his remarks about the administration of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, stem from his gubernatorial aspirations.
The government urged Kalu to hold off on his ambitions until the appropriate time.
It labeled Kalu's recent statements, made while representing the Bende federal constituency, as “spurious allegations” against Otti’s administration.
During an event organized by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Umuahia, the state capital, on Sunday, Kalu asserted that Otti’s administration has not performed well despite receiving significant allocations from the federal government.
He claimed that the APC would take control of the state in 2027, noting that Otti was elected under the Labour Party (LP) banner.
In response, Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated on Monday that Kalu neglected to account for the depreciation of the naira and the rise in minimum wage when comparing the allocations received by the state government to those of previous administrations.
Ekeoma pointed out that the deputy speaker did not mention the increase in the number of civil servants in Abia state, which has grown from 31,000 to over 67,000.
He criticized Kalu’s appeal to the Lagos government regarding recent demolitions, suggesting that if the intent were genuine, the appeal should have been made privately.
“It’s intriguing that after months of instigating an unprovoked media attack against the government, he has finally revealed his true intentions while pretending to support President Tinubu, whose name he drops frequently to further his own political agenda,” he remarked.
“Lastly, Kalu should not be overly concerned about what he observed in Aba; that was merely a rehearsal,” he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Abia government to criticize Benjamin Kalu?
The Abia government criticized Benjamin Kalu for his remarks about Governor Alex Otti's administration, suggesting that his comments are motivated by his gubernatorial ambitions.
What were the main points of Kalu's criticism of Otti's administration?
Kalu claimed that Otti’s administration has underperformed despite receiving significant federal allocations and expressed confidence that the APC would take control of the state in the upcoming elections.
How did Ferdinand Ekeoma respond to Kalu's accusations?
Ekeoma argued that Kalu failed to consider economic factors such as currency depreciation and minimum wage increases in his comparisons, and highlighted the growth in civil service employment in Abia state.
