Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed strong anger against Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, accusing him of using his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, to insult and attack him publicly.
Speaking while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his country home in Igbere Bende LGA of Abia State, Senator Kalu said his relationship with Governor Otti was strictly personal and should not be mixed with politics. He stressed that while friendship may exist “inside the house,” politics is played “on the street.”
Kalu warned that the Labour Party would not be allowed to dominate Abia State, insisting that party loyalty must be respected. According to him, the APC would mobilize its strength to install its own governor, councillors, and other elected officials in future elections.
The former Abia governor also criticized the current administration for what he described as lack of transparency, demanding that the state government open its books for public scrutiny. He said he wanted details of contract awards, civil servants’ salaries, pensions, and gratuities, comparing the situation with his time in office when, he claimed, workers were paid their entitlements and social services were provided.
Senator Kalu further faulted Governor Otti for allegedly running government affairs from outside Umuahia, insisting that the state capital, as provided by the constitution, remains Umuahia. He warned that failure to relocate fully to the capital could be challenged in court.
He accused the Labour Party-led government of misleading the public with propaganda, claiming that no major new roads had been constructed and that funds received within a few months exceeded what his administration received in several years.
Kalu vowed that the APC would resist what he called unconstitutional and undemocratic practices, including the alleged dismissal of civil servants, and promised that all affected workers would be reinstated.
Declaring that the “line of friendship has been drawn,” the senator said political peace between him and the governor was over, adding that he was ready for an open political contest. He called on local and international observers to monitor future elections in the state, expressing confidence that the APC would record sweeping victories.
He urged APC members to intensify voter registration and mobilization ahead of the next elections, stressing that victory would be achieved not by words but by action.
