The Abia State Government says it has observed recent public comments by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, concerning his relationship with Governor Alex Otti, OFR, and claims of extending political and developmental cooperation to the State Government.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Njoku Ukoha, the Government said it had deliberately avoided political exchanges with the Deputy Speaker but found it necessary to clarify the facts for the sake of public understanding.
The Government stressed that Governor Otti has remained focused on governance rather than partisan politics and has consistently supported development initiatives attracted to Abia State by federal lawmakers, including those facilitated by Rt. Hon. Kalu. It noted that as a demonstration of goodwill and cooperation, the Governor approved and allocated a large parcel of land along the Umuahia–Bende Road for a housing estate project attracted by the Deputy Speaker to his constituency.
According to the statement, the Governor has maintained open channels of engagement with the Deputy Speaker. However, the Government said these efforts were undermined by the demolition of Eluokwu Community School in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area, a public school already designated by the State Government for upgrade into a smart school. The demolition, it said, was carried out without consultation with or approval from relevant state authorities.
The State Government described the demolition of the school, which reportedly occurred despite the presence of contractors lawfully mobilised to execute the State’s project, as a breach of due process and an affront to constituted authority. It added that the proper course of action would have been for the Deputy Speaker to formally engage the State Government for an alternative project site, a request the Governor would have been willing to consider.
The statement further said that after the State Government sealed the site in line with the law, the Deputy Speaker bypassed internal resolution mechanisms and escalated the matter outside the State. It added that authorities who later reviewed the issue reportedly cautioned him against disregarding due process and advised that necessary approvals must be obtained from relevant local and state agencies before undertaking such projects.
The Government noted that this procedure aligns with the approach consistently adopted by Governor Otti in implementing federal projects in Abia State, an approach it said has strengthened cooperation between the State and the Federal Government.
Reacting to public references by the Deputy Speaker to an invitation extended to Governor Otti to join his political party, the Government said the Governor remains focused on governance and development and has little interest in political posturing.
The Abia State Government reaffirmed its commitment to development, institutional respect, and collaboration founded on due process and the rule of law.
