The Abia Sustenance of Good Governance (ASGG), a pro-democracy group in the state has cautioned Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, member representing Bende federal Constituency against politicking with the peace and stability of Abia state.
The group gave the caution during a world press conference in Umuahia, Abia state capital on Friday.
Dannie Ubani, the leader of the group stated the position of the group following the recent political debate in the state which emanated from the recent commissioning of Port Harcourt Road and other Roads in Aba by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister Dave Umahi.
The group cautioned Kalu and other opposition political gladiators not to set up governor Otti against president president Bola Tinubu for selfish gains.
“We are not saying that whatever ambition he has is invalid. But we are saying don’t set up the governor against the president with the ambition of leveraging on the fracas to launch your ambition.
“And at the same time, don’t pitch the Abia populace against the government by trumpeting malicious, unfounded and outrageous figures.” ASGG said.
CANDID REPORTERS recalls that the tension began when Hon. Kalu, while addressing members of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Abia after the project commissioning, declared that the APC was on course to take over power in Abia State in 2027.
He said the administration of the state governor, Alex Otti, had underperformed despite what he described as increased revenue inflows.
In response, Gov. Otti’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma released a statement titled “Governance in Abia, Benjamin Kalu Needs Tutorials More Than He Needs a Microphone,” accusing the deputy speaker of ignorance and political grandstanding.
Hon. Kalu’s office, however, maintained that his remarks were based on facts contained in official financial documents of the Abia State Government.
He cited data showing that between April and June 2025, the state allegedly received an average of ₦38 billion monthly and warned that the volume of ongoing government projects did not match the scale of revenue. He also questioned the ₦54 billion reportedly spent on renovating 51 public schools in 2024, demanding accountability.
Hon. Kalu further declared that the APC would wrest Abia State from LP in 2027, which heightened the political undertone of his critique.
In response to Kalu’s claims, Hon. Dannie Ubani, emphasizing on the groups position, faulted the Deputy Speaker for saying that Abia State government is presently receiving ₦38 billion monthly, insisting that available figures put the average at ₦14 billion.
“We have been able to interrogate the assertion that Abia appropriates an average of 38 billion naira every other 28 days.
“From the statistical data available by FAAC, the total accruals to Abia State in the last FAAC update is 98 billion, 120 million naira only, which is a monthly average of 14 billion naira as an against the monthly 38 billion naira being touted by people who by virtue of their positions should know.” ASGG said.
The group noted that Governor has won back public confidence through the implementation of programmes and policies that have catalyzed to socioeconomic growth and cannot be justifiably said to be liable to financial malfeasance.
ASGG on its position on the debate holds that such political statement, if not checked could distract governance in Abia and pitch the State government against the federal government.
“Inciting a non-existent war of attrition between the governor of the state and our very dear President with the vain aim of leveraging on it to further selfish political ambitions is very unpatriotic, and would be stoutly resisted by Ndi Abia”. The group said.
The group sensed that if not put to check, such statement would serve as setting up the Governor against Abia people with ‘imaginary figures’ describing it as very cowardly and capable of igniting avoidable conflagration.
“A situation where supposed statesmen would deliberately fan the ambers of conflicts between the state government and the presidency in furtherance of their selfish political ambitions at the expense of the peace and stability, should be condemned, and is hereby condemned.” ASSG added.
The group called on all the political gladiators to shield their swords in order not to derail the government, emphasising that politics should not be played at the expense of the peace and stability of the state.
“Let all political combatants therefore, shield their swords for the moment in other not to derail the government, and if they must politick now, let it not be at the expense of the peace and stability that define the Abia of today. Abians are not very particular about political parties, but good governance and transparency which Alex Otti presently represents.
“We are appealing to his conscience as a matter of patriotism, not to politic at the expense of the peace, stability and prosperity we are enjoying today. Of course, every politician is ambitious and every politician is entitled to his ambition. And what defines democracy is participatory election and competitive election” ASGG said.
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