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By John Ogunsemore
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the Umuehim Nvosi faction of the Labour Party (LP) for launching a personal attack on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC – Abia North).
During a recent political engagement, Senator Kalu had expressed concern over rising political violence in the state.
He also observed that Governor Alex Otti was merely renovating roads built during his tenure.
The ex-governor further stated that despite receiving considerably less allocation from the federation account during his tenure, he delivered more visible infrastructural projects compared to Otti.
Responding, the Abia LP factional spokesman, Chidiebere Okoro described the senator as sounding “very angry, threatened, troubled and traumatised”.
But in a Thursday statement, Publicity Secretary of Abia APC, Uche Aguoru said it was untoward that the LP faction chose to engage in personal attacks rather than address the critical issues raised by the ex-Abia governor.
Aguoru emphasised that the LP faction should applaud Kalu’s statesmanship rather than attack his person.
The statement reads, “The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) considers it necessary to respond to the recent outburst by the Umuehim Nvosi faction of the Labour Party, which chose to attack the person of Orji Uzor Kalu rather than engage the critical issues he raised.
“Ordinarily, as a leading political party, we would not concern ourselves with faceless and fragmented groups parading as representatives of a faction whose legitimacy remains unrecognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and which, in the eyes of the law as it stands, does not exist, unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise, if such an opportunity ever arises.
“However, we are compelled to respond because their statement, rather than provide answers to the substantive issues raised by Senator Kalu in Igbere, descended into needless innuendos, name-calling, and personal attacks, completely ignoring matters of urgent public concern.
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“Senator Kalu raised fundamental and widely acknowledged issues, including the rising cost of education in Abia State, the poor welfare conditions of lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions, and the continued neglect of teachers in primary and secondary schools.
“These are not speculative claims; they are realities known to the people. Yet, instead of addressing these concerns, the faction resorted to attacking his person and family.
“He further highlighted the absence of new infrastructure development by the current administration, noting that what is being showcased are rehabilitated projects initiated by past governments, including those executed during his tenure between 1999 and 2007. And being rehabilitated at an embarrassingly humungous cost. Once again, no factual rebuttal was offered only abuse.
“More concerning is his warning about the emergence of political violence and what may rightly be described as political banditry, developments previously alien to Abia’s political landscape but now emboldened by the utterances of Governor Otti and his supporters.
“These are serious citizens concerns that demand thoughtful engagement, not emotional outbursts, not intimidation, not blackmail as we have seen in the released by factional group.
“To dismiss such weighty issues as mere ‘fear’ reflects a lack of patriotism and a troubling disregard for the genuine concerns of the Abia people.”
Aguoru stressed that Senator Kalu’s call on Otti to prioritise the welfare of Abians and ensure the prudent use of public resources is a patriotic and statesmanlike intervention that deserves commendation from all well-meaning citizens.
He added, “The Umuehim Nvosi faction of the Labour Party should, therefore, abandon the path of personal attacks and instead demonstrate a little sense of responsibility by addressing the issues raised and working towards improving governance in the state.
“One thing, however, remains certain: come 2027, the APC will not only secure all three senatorial seats, but also win the seven House of Representatives seats, the 24 seats in the State House of Assembly, and reclaim the Abia State Government House in Umuahia and restore governance to its rightful seat.
“Abians deserve leadership anchored on accountability, performance, and transparency and not media content creation, noise making, bullying of senior citizens and unnecessary distractions.”
