The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ben Kalu

  • Re – 2027: Ben Kalu’s needless battle with Southeast Governors – A response 

    Re – 2027: Ben Kalu’s needless battle with Southeast Governors – A response 

    By Uche Aguoru

    The recent article titled “2027: Ben Kalu’s Needless Battle With Southeast Governors” is, without mincing words, an unfortunate cocktail of political mischief, misplaced fears, and a glaringly weak attempt to malign the towering image of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. What masquerades as analysis is in fact a labored screed from a clearly biased Labour Party sympathizer who is struggling to suppress the uncomfortable truth of Benjamin Kalu’s rising political influence. not just in Abia State, but across the Southeast region.

    Let us, first of all, address the central lie: Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu is not in any battle with Southeast governors. Anyone who understands the political terrain of the region and who has followed the conduct of the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives would attest that Kalu has maintained cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationships with governors across party lines. Whether it is Governor Alex Otti of Abia, Governor Uzodinma of Imo, or Governor Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Kalu has treated all with political maturity and decorum.

    This baseless insinuation of a “power tussle” is not only a fabrication, but a failed attempt to pit Rt. Hon. Kalu against leaders he continues to support in pursuit of the Southeast’s collective good. Kalu is not driven by power games, he is driven by purpose. His focus is the Peace in South East Project (PISEP) a bold, inclusive initiative designed to address insecurity, economic marginalization, and political disunity in the region. PISEP is not a political party. It is not a rival movement. It is a regional intervention that seeks to restore the Southeast to its pride of place in the Nigerian federation.

    It is no surprise that the author of that hit piece would seek to diminish such a transformative vision. What he fails to understand is that Kalu is not campaigning for popularity; he is working for posterity. If anyone is playing dirty politics, it is the writer himself, disguising as a “concerned observer” while betraying his clear Labour Party allegiance, thinly veiled in every line. Your fear, sir, is noted and quite telling.

    Let the facts speak for themselves. Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu is not a neophyte in governance. He is no accidental leader. Long before occupying Nigeria’s Number Six political office, Kalu had consistently distinguished himself in legislative advocacy, constituency development, and national engagement. His re-election chances are not up for debate. Abians know their son. They see his work. They feel his impact. If elections were held today, Kalu would not only win Bende Federal Constituency, he would win across the state. That is what goodwill, performance, and integrity buy you in politics.

    As for the cheap shots at Kalu’s ability to deliver votes to President Tinubu and the APC, one must ask: why so worried? You, a self-declared Labour Party mouthpiece, seem overly interested in the electoral prospects of the President and APC. Why? The answer is simple: you know that Ben Kalu is a game-changer. And that scares you.

    Let it be known: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not politically naïve. He knows those who are truly loyal to him and those merely playing to the gallery. Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu has consistently and unapologetically championed the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Southeast. From infrastructure lobbying, legislative support, to grassroots mobilization, Kalu has done more to bring the APC closer to the people than any single individual in the region.

    If anyone still doubts the possibility of the APC securing over 70% of Southeast votes in 2027, they are clearly ignoring the infrastructural transformation, strategic appointments, and inclusive governance President Tinubu has extended to the region. Through leaders like Ben Kalu and committed APC governors, that 70% is not just a projection—it is a coming reality.

    Now, let’s address the real elephant in the room: Governor Alex Otti’s administration. It is quite evident that this article stems not from genuine concern, but from paranoia—paranoia that Kalu’s consistent, silent achievements are fast eclipsing a government that thrives more on media optics than measurable results. What you see as “publicity stunts” are actually results-driven initiatives, visible in Kalu’s massive goodwill among youths, traditional rulers, religious leaders, technocrats, and even members of your Labour Party.

    You are correct on one point though—Ben Kalu is not in competition with anyone. He does not need to be. The people of Abia and the Southeast are calling on him to take up more responsibility, not because he asked for it, but because they believe he can deliver where others have failed. Should he decide to heed that call—and that is a big “if” for now—your tears, sir, may indeed flow like a river.

    So rather than concoct long-winded criticisms filled with bitterness and contradiction, perhaps it is time for you to ask yourself why Ben Kalu continues to inspire hope across party divides. The truth is: you see in him what you wish you had in your party.

    vision, acceptance, and results. And that is why you write from a place of fear. But let it be known: fear has never stopped destiny.

    Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu remains focused on his mission: to bring peace, prosperity, and political relevance to the Southeast. He has no time for distractions. And certainly, no need to dignify envious wailings disguised as advice.

    In conclusion, while you busy yourself penning anxious lamentations, Ben Kalu is doing what leaders do—working, building bridges, and preparing the Southeast for greatness. If that scares you, then brace up—because 2027 is coming.

    And it’s coming with renewed hope.

    Aguoru, a Political Affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia.

  • Kalu, Sanusi, Abaribe, others seek cultural leadership reforms for national transformation

    Kalu, Sanusi, Abaribe, others seek cultural leadership reforms for national transformation

    Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Ben Kalu; Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II; Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe  and others have called for cultural and leadership reforms to drive national transformation.

    They spoke in Abuja during Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII) 2024 Annual Conference

    Kalu, noting the role of women in fostering unity and development, called for cultural and leadership renaissance, stressing women can achieve our transformative goals.

    He praised NNII for addressing GBV, insecurity, marginalisation, and others.

    Kalu said National Assembly would move to enhance gender equality and women participation in governance.

    Reflecting on his tenure in CBN, Sanusi shared the success of policies mandating gender equity in banks, which saw women in top positions.

    He said empowering women is key to resolving malnutrition, education gaps, etc.

    “The woman holds the key to development,” he said.

    Sanusi criticised Nigeria’s approach to social issues and advocated policies prioritising women and child welfare.

     Abaribe decried declining interest in education and traditional values, citing a shift towards materialism and quick wealth as a threat to the community’s development.

    Read Also: Customs intercepts 788kg of Cannabis, hands over suspects to NDLEA

    He warned that this has dire consequences, and called for prioritisation of education and mentorship to restore the Igbo legacy of hard work and enterprise.

    National leader of Pan Nigeria Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, said Nigerian institutions must be accountable and responsive to citizens.

    Clark, represented by PANDEF spokesman, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, said people should work together ‘‘to achieve and sustain inclusive leadership”.

    NNII’s Founder, Josephine Anenih, urged women to tackle our challenges, and called for unity and introspection.

    She noted women will not be passive in face of challenges.

     Former Senate President, Pius Anyim, said justice and fairness can restore societal harmony, while Sen. Rochas Okorocha noted the key role of women and called for an end to outdated gender norms.

    “Women can be presidents and governors. Don’t wait for relevance; create it,” he said.

  • Ben Kalu: The legendary Ijele that fights for his people

    Ben Kalu: The legendary Ijele that fights for his people

    • Why the fifth columnists are after him

    I was at Bende to witness the Grand Civic Reception in honour of our illustrious son Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. The well attended event also climaxed into  the unveiling of what could be described as one of the most thoughtful projects yet by a Legislator in the South East: Peace in the South East Project (PISE – P), the brainchild of wisdom, patriotism, progressiveness and intentional development.

    While this piece is not about the core advantages of galvanising support to ensure that peace, which had long eluded the South East, returns, I want to serve notice to those fifth columnists, urchins, enemies of progress who are gathering to pull Ben Kalu, the South East rising star, down. They are gathering, fanning the embers of disunity, making a mountain out of a molehill, attempting to use propaganda to achieve what they couldn’t use the court to achieve.

    There is no sane Igbo man who would honestly view Ben Kalu’s trajectory with disdain. It is therefore the height of irresponsibility for anybody at this time to tell us about disparities in names used by Ben Kalu as reason we should throw away our golden boy, poster boy of Bende, the Ijele of the South East, Ben Kalu. What is there in a name and how does that discredit the well thought out programme of reaching out to relevant stakeholders, galvanising support and initiating deliberate attempts aimed at ensuring that those in Mbano sleep with their eyes closed, those in Enugu stop living in fear, our kiths in Isuikwuato/Umunneochi return home without fear of any criminal attacks,  those in Orlu go about their legitimate businesses without long days of sitting – at – home, returning the glory of Okigwe and Arondizuogu axis? I ask again, how does the names on the Certiticates being used by Ben Kalu affect the several benefits already accruing from the awareness that Igbos can come together to circumvent what is about being the deadliest security onslaught on AlaIgbo?

    Talking about whether Ben Kalu is Okezie or Osisiogu, I had a similar circumstance. It is not uncommon to see honest and appreciative young persons taking up names of either their foster parents or guardians. Once, the little girl who lived with us had gone for enrollment in school. When she was asked her name, she mentioned Ebere Cosmos instead of Ebere Chibueze that was on her birth certificate.  Her reason was very simple! The father she knows is Cosmos Ndukwe who took her in and had been catering for her. Of course her First School Leaving Certifiate (FSLC) bears EBERE CHIBUEZE while her Secondary School (Junior and Senior) Certificates bear EBERE COSMOS. I am also aware that upon enrollment into the University, she reverted to her original name of EBERE CHIBUEZE and upon marriage changed her name to that of her husband. How does this innocent trajectory paint the girl with the wicked brush of evil? How does this make her one not to be trusted or appreciated for whatever positive steps she is taking in life?

    How does a legitimate change of name allowed in our laws, done with sufficient judicial illumination and twice upheld by courts of competent jurisdiction be an offense? 

    If Ben reverts to his original name at some point when history reveals it to him, how does that make him an evil man?

    Those fifth columnists who are after Ben are those who paint every effort by a leader with the sentimental brush of politics. They are those who feel intimidated by the rising profile of a young man who bears that extraordinary mark of grace. While these enemies of progress see competition in Ben, we see progress, development and cooperative success in Ben Kalu. We do not even know the relationship between seeking for peace and bearing different names. It is even more disheartening when one realises that those recruiting us to hate Ben are those whose communities are worse hit by the South East insecurity Tsunami which Ben is working so hard to solve.

    Read Also: Mbah pays Yuletide homage to Tinubu in Lagos

    In one of their propaganda series, they tried so hard to pitch Ben Kalu against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and other notable Igbo Leaders like Senator Hope Uzodinma. In another failed twist, they also made up an imaginary feud between Ben and Dr. Alex Otti on one hand and Senator Hope Uzodinma on another hand. One would ask: to what purpose? A day before the Bende Grand Civic Reception in honour of Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Otti had rolled out the drums to honour the IJELE, a leader that has the interest of his people at heart. At the event in Bende, Senator Hope Uzodinma demonstrated his total support, ignoring those who benefit from crisis, those whose stock in trade is planting the seed of discord.

    Ben Kalu is the new face of South East leadership. Apart from his positive youthfulness, he is deserving of the trust he is seeking. Ben is worthy of our support. We should not let those who are into political merchandising rock this our smooth sailing boat called Ben Kalu. Peace is inevitable. The only person who would be a cog in the wheel of the Ben Kalu PISE P project is the chartered politician who takes delight in pulling down excellent initiatives, it is the spentforce who is bereft of ideas and thinks others are too, it is the unapologetic enemy of progress who wants to recruit us to hate our emerging IJELE, who had been ordained by God to direct a new and progressive leadership in Igbo land.

    Let peace reign. Let us support our own Rt  Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and an illustrious son of Igbo Land.

    •Dr. Ndukwe, was a 2023 Presidential Aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)