The Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has openly criticized media handlers in Abia State for allegedly downplaying the contributions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to the state’s development.
Kalu, who represents the Bende Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, made the remarks at the Enyimba Stadium during an event where Governor Alex Otti received President Tinubu’s representative, Senator David Umahi, who visited the state to commission some projects executed by the state government. The ceremony, however, took an unexpected turn when the Deputy Speaker accused the state’s information machinery of deliberately ignoring the impact of federal government interventions in Abia.
Speaking at the event, Kalu stressed that development should transcend political divides, insisting that citizens deserve to know when both the state and federal governments contribute to growth.
Although I am not a member of your party, I am a member of the APC. But when it comes to development, which is what citizens remember, we were first citizens of this state before becoming members of political parties. If you truly love your state, irrespective of party affiliation, you must work for its progress,” he said.
Kalu emphasized that his presence at the event was not unusual, as he has always identified with Abia governors across party lines.
“I did it with Governor T. A. Orji, I did it with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and there’s no reason why I won’t stand with my Governor today. Governance is about partnership — the state must partner with the federal government and the federal government must partner with the state,” he maintained.
The Deputy Speaker, who highlighted his role as a representative of the South East in the leadership structure of the National Assembly, revealed that he had accompanied President Tinubu to events in non-APC states such as Enugu and Anambra. He noted that there was no reason why he should not identify with his home state.
While commending Governor Otti for his ongoing projects across Abia, Kalu stressed the need to give due credit to President Tinubu, especially in areas where federal resources were directly supporting state initiatives.
“Since morning, I have been visiting projects. We commend the Governor, but like Oliver Twist, Abia still needs more. That is why we must be vocal in acknowledging the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When he removed the oil subsidy, he did not keep the money in Abuja; he sent it to the states. This is my challenge to the Commissioner of Information and all media houses in Abia State to give credit where credit is due. Let Abians know the President is supporting their Governor,” Kalu charged.
Quoting the Igbo proverb, “Na ekele onye akidi, ya agwota ozo” (he who appreciates little will receive more), Kalu urged Abians to openly appreciate the federal government’s interventions if the state expects to benefit further.
This development, however, has reignited public debate over why President Tinubu has repeatedly failed to honor Governor Otti’s invitations in person, having snubbed such calls on three consecutive occasions.
