Ben Kalu and the Threat of Federal Government’s Fire
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
A disturbing video has emerged showing the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, threatening that the “Federal Government’s fire” would burn anyone attempting to stop him.
The video clip, recorded on Saturday, captured Kalu during his visit to Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, where he inaugurated a chapter of the Renewed Hope Partners, a political structure mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Kalu, who spoke in a mixture of Igbo and English, was heard addressing his followers, saying:
“If fire gets those stealing government money, it will burn them. Go and tell your neighbours that when we wanted to come for this event today, some people came to do shiga! shiga!! shiga!!!. Go and tell them not to try the Federal Government.
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.”
Although the Deputy Speaker did not mention any name, such a statement coming from the holder of the sixth highest political office in the country and leader of the opposition group in Abia State is worrisome. Given the volatile nature of political support in Nigeria, this kind of utterance can easily incite violence.
Kalu must understand that convincing the Abia electorate to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections cannot be achieved through threats and intimidation. The same applies to his repeated claims that the APC “must” take over power in the state by 2027.
No presidential or governorship candidate of the APC has ever won a single local government in Abia since 2015. The future of the party in the state depends solely on the will of the electorate. If elections are conducted in an atmosphere free of intimidation and other anti-democratic tendencies, candidates can only win where they are genuinely popular.
Democracy, as practised in Nigeria, guarantees every registered political party the right to participate and field candidates during elections. Therefore, there is no room for anyone to threaten that “fire will burn” those who oppose them.
Gov. Alex Otti was massively voted into office during the 2023 General Elections despite belonging to an opposition party both at the state and federal levels. The administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari never used “federal fire” to burn those who challenged his party at the polls.
Suffice it to say that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not tamper with Nigeria’s democracy. On the contrary, he is expected to protect and promote it. Hence, threatening people with “federal power” or “federal fire” reflects a lack of ideas on serious development issues and policy.
Regardless of the number of rallies or political groups formed by any party, the electorate will always vote according to their convictions.
Abia State is not at war with the Federal Government. Governor Otti, like other governors across the federation, maintains a cordial working relationship with President Tinubu. The evidence is clear, the President recently approved that Abia State take over some deplorable federal roads for reconstruction, for the benefit of Nigerians living in the state.
However, this development did not sit well with some APC members in the state, who would rather see the roads remain impassable until their party assumes power. But President Tinubu has demonstrated broader vision and statesmanship. His decision to allow Gov. Otti reconstruct federal roads may even win him goodwill at the ballot in 2027, because what people desire most is good governance, not political party labels.
Abians who voted for Gov. Otti in 2023 will determine his political future in 2027. Those who now enjoy improved medical services in public health facilities, cleaner environments, and regular salary payments after years of arrears will decide who leads them next. Farmers, traders, and motorists who now ply newly reconstructed roads will also make their choices when the time comes.
All those planning to contest the governorship election should focus on presenting their ideas and convincing the people through meaningful engagement, not intimidation.
The Deputy Speaker must remember the gullible nature of some political supporters, who may easily act violently on the slightest provocation. He should learn from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who said his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Likewise, Ben Kalu’s ambition should not invite any so-called “Federal Government fire” to Abia State.
At a time Nigeria and Nigerians are facing multiple security breaches, drawing international concern over internal instability, heating up the polity in Abia State is ill-advised, dangerous and must stop. Abia must succeed.
#GovOttiIsBuildingTheNewAbia
#ToGodBeTheGlory
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu is a journalist and public affairs analyst writing from Umuahia.