Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has faulted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, over his claims that the incumbent governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, would be the last the Labour Party will produce to govern the state.
Kalu made this disclosure in a video that went viral on Monday while he was highlighting the chances of his party, the All Progressives Congress, in the next election.
In the video, the deputy speaker, who represents the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, said Otti has done well as a governor, but the state needed to be governed by the party at the centre because of President Bola Tinubu’s contribution to the state.
He said, “This will be the last time that a Labour Party governor will govern Abia State. I say it without mincing words. The next governor of Abia State will be APC governor.
“I have told him publicly and privately that the APC governor will be next in Abia State. How it will happen, I don’t know, but it will happen.
”I am confident because my government is working hard, the President is working hard, and Abia will repay the president. The president that has given you the South East Development Commission will be repaid.
“A president that is appointing Abians into administration. A president who is attracting the dividends of democracy will be repaid. We are not ungrateful people. Monkey will not work, and baboon chop. APC will not help the state to be strong, and Labour will take the credit.”
However, reacting to Kalu’s claims in a press statement on Monday, Ejiofor said the deputy speaker was totally out of touch or disconnected from the reality on the ground.
Ejiofor said Kalu should not rejoice or boast of occupying the position of the deputy speaker as such a position only exists on paper.
He said, “The video highlights the extent of the desperation of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. It is clear that the young man is completely disconnected from the realities in his home state.
“I can assure you that he will struggle to retain his mandate come 2027, which is the obvious consequence of the present macabre dance.
“Abians, who are presently enjoying the unprecedented dividends of good leadership shall definitely speak louder come 2027, only if their votes will count again, by which time the deputy speaker will realise he has been daydreaming.
“He needs to wake up from his slumber and prepare for the challenges ahead! The deputy speaker position only exists on paper. Abians deserve leaders who understand their struggles and are truly connected to the pulse of the people.”