2027: Ben Kalu steadily stoking the embers of political tension in Abia
– By Eagle Okoro
The relationship between Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (alias BOK), is currently under serious threat and passing through the crucible of political fire. And how the current jabs and counter-jabs would end can easily be predicted, particularly considering the outcome of the Anambra State Governorship poll.
The romance between the two heavyweights and political leaders from the old Bende bloc was pretty robust and rosy before and immediately after the 2023 polls up until recently. The duo were mutually connected, demonstrating a unique and enviable political understanding, affiliation and tolerance across their opposing partisan lines. The relationship was a model that stood out enviably for many Abians and Nigerians to celebrate, recommend and emulate.
They bonded so well and celebrated each other’s political victories in the aftermath of the 2023 General Elections.
The governor was one of the first prominent Abians to felicitate BOK after he emerged the deputy speaker of the 10th National Assembly.
And beyond that uncanny display of patriotic and brotherly disposition, devoid of partisan colouration, he went ahead to organise a colourful state civic reception in his honour as an illustrious son of Abia. The governor and Abia Government were also visibly involved in BOK’s homecoming, a well-attended, highly political gathering, organised to announce and celebrate him over his elevation.
There was high public expectation, and rightly too, that with such show of affection, both would pull together with consummate strength and vigour to collectively promote true democratic culture and values in Abia, as well as individually pursue the dividend of democracy from diverse opportunities and fora for the state, maximising all the prospects from their different political leanings for the general good of the people of the state. Those were the people’s objective expectations but, like an analyst once wrote, such political bonding across party lines is usually ephemeral and hardly ever stands the test of time.
And true to that principle, the romance suddenly turned sour overnight. Yes, overnight! And the cookie crumbled without any quarrel or fisticuffs. Just like that, and BOK woke up one morning and began to revolt against his friend and brother, “De Alle”, as he claimed to fondly call the governor.
Many thought he woke up from the wrong side of the bed on that Sunday, October 5, when he fired the first offensive. That attack unfortunately happened barely two days after he accompanied the governor to receive President Bola Tinubu, who was in Abia to inaugurate the renovated and beautified Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia and some landmark road projects in Aba, including the Port Harcourt Road – a strategic and economically-viable road, reclaimed and reconstructed by Gov. Otti after more than two decades it was abandoned by previous administrations, beginning from Orji Uzor Kalu.
And throughout the carnival-like inauguration that attracted the small, high and mighty in the commercial city, the elegantly attired BOK walked neck and neck with the governor and president’s representative and Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi.
In a statesmanly, morale-boosting speech at the event, the President hailed Gov. Otti to high heaven for his commitment and transparent leadership that has changed Abia’s development narrative in a meteoric manner. And he did not mince words, when he called Gov. Otti a miracle worker.
Hear what Tinubu said: “This road is a miracle. I was a young engineer that did Ndiegoro flood control. At that time, this place was impassable. In fact, we attempted to use a canoe one time to cross this place.
“At the time of God, He makes all things beautiful. And in all honesty, devoid of any political coloration, God has remembered Abia State. You cried out to God for good leadership, and today, we have good leadership.
“This is leadership, this is governance. This is God in action. We are very happy,” Umahi said.
And to reward Gov. Otti for his hard work, exemplary and progressive leadership and trustworthiness in handling the federal projects already executed by his administration, the minister said that “Gov. Otti would immediately receive federal approval to take over the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road”.
The promise had long been cemented and the governor on November 3, flagged off the reconstruction of the highway to a dual carriageway. This was to the chargrin and utter ridiculing of a few disgruntled APC chieftains from Abia, who initiated futile attempts to stop the President’s laudable gesture.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN OTTI
And as a demonstration of utmost disregard for BOK’s unsubstantiated and unguarded outburst and vitriolic attacks on the State Government, the APC-led Federal Government handed over additional four roads to Gov. Otti to reconstruct and rehabilitate, in what many objective analysts have described as a sheer demonstration of the President’s vote of confidence in the governor and his administration.
Speaking further on Gov. Otti’s impressive performance, while approving the additional roads, Umahi stated: “The president has given the governors the impetus to repair all the bad roads in our states. Some of them are doing very well, especially those in the South-East. But in Abia, we can see the difference. Governor Otti is growing the state.”
Those were the kind and uncommon remarks as well as commendations from a staunch APC chieftain and super minister. They did not come from “paid analysts”, “praise-singers” and “sychophants”.
Unfortunately, those praises and the tumultuous crowd of the governor’s organic supporters that trooped out in Aba for the road inauguration overwhelmed BOK and stirred up deep-seated envy in him and his allies. So, they quickly retreated and reviewed his continued support to the governor. And from their strategic meeting came the resolve to urgently initiate and sustain attacks to reverse the governor’s growing popularity ahead of the 2027 polls.
That simply explained the reason for BOK’s unprovoked volte face, barely two days after clicking the wine glasses with Gov. Otti to celebrate the President’s memorable visit. Of course, it can be reasoned that BOK attended the event pretending to be a friend but went home filled with envy and the treachery of a consumate traitor. And, indeed, such men are politically dangerous.
Little wonder, therefore, in contrast with the President’s hearty commendation, BOK chose to throw caution to the wind and, being so blinded by his inordinate governorship ambition, began to launch political tirades against the Abia Government.
LEADING A COMBATIVE, SCARY CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE IN ABIA
Today, emboldened by the haughtiness of his self-styled No. Six citizen, and nudged on by his new-found political allies, BOK now gallivants round the various local government areas of Abia, deploying enormous financial resources “obtained” from the President to galvanise the undiscerning Abians toward building political structures in pursuit of his governorship dream under the guise of launching Mr President’s Renewed Hope Partners.
This is why in the local government areas he has so far visited, BOK would neither talk about the needs of the communities, such as good roads, electricity, water, health centres and schools. Rather, he engages in war-mongering, advocating political aggression and intimidation of Abians that refuse to align with his arrogant, delusional aspiration of coming to take over the state.
At a recent launch of the structure in Obingwa LGA, BOK spewed fire. His language lacked the decorum and diplomacy of a truly genuine leader. He appeared such a rabid brute, scary and repulsive, rather than humble, persuasive, and admirable.
He boasted to possess “Federal Government’s fire”, which he threatened to unleash on the Abia youths and all others that are opposed to his obnoxious and unrealistic mission to railroad Abia into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Hear him: “If you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, sibling, or child, tell them that whenever they hear Benjamin is coming, they should steer clear. Tell them not to try the Federal Government again because my boat is a sharp one; if you block the road, it will sweep you away.”
The speech was all about stoking the embers of political tension and violence in the state. It was a brazen invitation to political chaos and anarchy. Therefore, it should be subjected to discreet and critical investigation by security agencies to expose and appreciate its sufficiently lethal content and implications, ahead of the electioneering season. Such an open threat to employ violence toward achieving the unbridled, political ambition of one Abian should be viewed seriously and addressed appropriately because, as the popular saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine. BOK must be quickly demystified and contained, and ultimately made to realise that his governorship ambition is not worth the blood of any Abia youth.
THE BIG LESSON FROM ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP POLL
No doubt, all the noises and threats by BOK, together with his political allies and hirelings, to take over Abia State in 2027 have suddenly simmered down and shame has taken over – thanks to the outcome of the just-concluded peaceful, credible governorship election in our dear sister-state of Anambra, which helped to expose all the grandstanding and noise as empty threats and excessive political jingoism by BOK.
He has finally come to the realisation that his boasts to deploy the Federal Government’s fire and might to bulldoze his way and capture Abia in 2927 would certainly end the same way of similar boasts that the Presidency would empty into Anambra during the election to deliver the state to APC “by fire by force”, regardless of the people’s votes.
But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu passed an incredibly applaudable message – that the people’s votes must count in Anambra and any other future elections in the country. And the President worked his talk.
Hence, in spite of the pressure, he stood his ground and refused to interfere in the entire process in the Anambra election. He left the Anambra electorate to decide who should lead them with the power of their votes. This is the beauty of democracy for which Anambrarians and entire Nigerians, home and abroad, have lavishly poured encomia on the President.
BOK and his co-day dreamers have also come to realise that in 2027, the President himself will be battling to secure his second tenure and not disgraced out of office by the distraught and disillusioned Nigerian electorate, who are bitter with his administration and spoiling for a showdown with him.
Consequently, the Presidency may not be bothered about APC grabbing Abia as the party chieftains have continued to brag in all their political gatherings in the state, since BOK became the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Happily, as it was in Anambra election, so shall it be in Abia in 2027: the people’s vote must count.
Herein lies the deep concern and frustration that have since enveloped BOK’s camp, leaving them in shock, deeply stupefied and confused. And it shall continue to be so until 2027!
To God be the glory. #Abia has found its rhythm and now on a progressive trajectory.
– Eagle Okoro is a public affairs commentator and writes from Umuahia