.........𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓 Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands out in Nigeria’s contemporary political space as a highly regarded, articulate, and strategically grounded leader. His political journey so far reflects not just eloquence in speech, but courage in action—qualities that have earned him admiration across party lines and among ordinary citizens. One of the most defining moments of his public service was his bold exposure of Abia State’s federal allocation. It was an act that required uncommon political bravery, especially in a system where silence is often rewarded more than truth. That courageous stance, while celebrated by many Abians who value transparency and accountability, might ironically have worked against him in elite recognition circles. If the Enyi Abia title were to be considered today, such forthrightness cou...

...........𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑼𝒛𝒖𝒂𝒌𝒐𝒍𝒊, 𝑶𝒛𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 23 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 Yesterday marked a significant milestone for the residents of Bende Federal Constituency as Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu officially commissioned the reconnection of several communities to the National Grid.  This momentous occasion effectively ends years of darkness and uncertainty for the people who have long endured the challenges of inadequate electricity supply. For years, the communities within Bende Federal Constituency have faced numerous obstacles in their quest for reliable power.  Multiple attempts to restore electricity were thwarted by a range of issues, including technical constraints and the persistent theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure.  However, despite these setbacks, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu remained steadfast in his commitment to the people, refusing to relent in his eff...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝑹𝒕 𝑯𝒐𝒏 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 On Friday, December 9, 2026, the Bende community witnessed a momentous occasion as Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu officially commissioned the 1000KVA Solar Electricity Project. This significant development aims to address the longstanding electricity challenges that have plagued the Community, marking a pivotal step forward in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. This project is the second phase of Kalu's ambitious clean energy distribution initiative, which began with the successful commissioning of the first phase in 2022. The journey to this achievement was not without its hurdles. Despite facing numerous challenges, including logistical issues and funding constraints, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu's unwavering determination and commitment to his constituents have finally borne fruit. The completion ...

.......... 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒈𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒖𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 On January 8, 2026, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, embarked on a significant leg of his party strengthening tour in Abia State, visiting Senator Nkechi Nwogu and key stakeholders in Osisioma Local Government Area. This visit is part of Kalu's broader initiative to galvanize support and fortify the party's structure ahead of upcoming elections. During his address to party leaders, faithful, and supporters, Rt. Hon. Kalu underscored the critical importance of unity and resilience within the party. He articulated a vision for sustained grassroots engagement, emphasizing that these elements are essential for repositioning the party for future electoral success in Abia State. "We must remain steadfast in our commitment to building a strong and formidable party structure," he urged, highlighting...

By Kassim Omomia We have watched Ben Okezie Kalu the deputy speaker of the House with all admiration. He exudes humour, humility and hardwork. Kalu did not catch our glimpse from the wrong side but from a prism of competence, dedication and above all patriotism in his legislative duties. Even though we may not have a full grasp of Okezie’s elementary political life up till his ascension to the exalted office of Deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, but it is on record that he served extremely well and meritoriously when as a first time member of the House of Representatives he was chairman Media and Publicity committee, doubling as spokesperson and image maker. Okezie stirred the House public outlook to the approval of Nigerians and the outside world,comparing that unit of the Nigerian bicameral legislature he managed its image to world parliaments, like the US Congress and the British House of Common,among others. At home, the House of Repr...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 In a troubling turn of events for democracy and freedom of expression in Abia State, a court has issued an order barring Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, a former commissioner, from making public statements against Governor Alex Otti.  This ₦100 billion defamation suit raises alarming questions about the state of dissent and accountability in a state that should be fostering open dialogue and criticism. The implications of this court order are profound.  It signals a dangerous precedent where criticism of government officials is not only discouraged but actively punished.  When a government resorts to silencing dissent through lawsuits and gag orders, it shifts from governance to intimidation....

...........𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 The long-awaited rehabilitation of the Bende Ozuitem electricity line has officially commenced, a significant development made possible through the efforts of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu PhD CFR.  This initiative marks a pivotal moment for the people of Ozuitem, Bende, and neighboring communities, who have endured prolonged periods without reliable electricity. For years, the residents of these areas have faced numerous challenges due to the lack of electricity, impacting their daily lives, economic activities, and overall quality of life.  The absence of a stable power supply has hindered local businesses, limited educational opportunities, and affected healthcare services.  However, with the commencement of this rehabilitation project, there is renewed hope for a brighter future. Since...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 In a significant move aimed at fortifying the political landscape of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has made a strategic return visit to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the esteemed representative of the Abia North Senatorial District.  This visit, which follows a previous courtesy call by Senator Kalu to the Deputy Speaker’s official guest house, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue between two of Abia’s most influential political figures. The earlier meeting between Kalu and Kalu was characterized by deep discussions focused on the future of Abia’s political environment, emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.  Today’s follow-up engagement not only reaffirms their commitment to these discussions but also signa...

...........𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 In a bold move that has sparked both interest and skepticism, Governor Dr. Alex C. Otti recently presented a staggering 1 trillion Naira budget for the year 2026 to the Abia State House of Assembly. While the ambitious budget aims to address various developmental needs within the state, it has raised significant concerns among citizens regarding the potential misappropriation of public funds. Many residents fear that the budget may serve as a facade for corrupt practices, reminiscent of past projects that have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Abians. One of the most glaring examples of alleged mismanagement is the controversial reconstruction of 51 smart schools, which reportedly cost 54 billion Naira. Despite the hefty investment, these schools have been criticized a...

........𝒂𝒔 𝑶𝒕𝒕𝒊 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒃𝒖 In a dramatic escalation of hostilities between the Abia State government and the presidency, Governor Alex Otti has taken a bold step by sealing the Renewed Hope Partners Office in Umuahia. This move is seen as a continuation of Otti's ongoing criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, further deepening the rift between the two leaders. The Renewed Hope Partners initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, was established to promote President Tinubu's agenda and to sensitize the people of Abia State and the broader Southeast region about the administration's programs and projects. The initiative has played a crucial role in disseminating information about the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to foster development and improve the living standards of citizens. However...

.........as Otti's absence from the discourse surrounding Kanu's conviction raises critical questions In the heart of Nigeria's Southeast, the political landscape is often shaped by the voices of its leaders and the scrutiny of its media. Recently, the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has sparked a flurry of questions from journalists and media personnel in Abia State. They probe, they question, and they dig for answers from Southeast governors, seeking clarity on a matter that has stirred deep emotions and political tensions. Yet, amidst this fervor, a glaring omission stands out: the silence of Abia State's own governor, Alex Otti. As the governor of Kanu's home state, Otti bears a unique responsibility. He is not just a political figure; he is a representative of the people, tasked with advocating for their rights and welfare. In moments of crisis, such as the conviction of a prominent citizen, on...

...........𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒆𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 As we step into November 2025, the people of Abia are left grappling with a pressing question: Where are the projects? The state government recently boasted about its financial allocations, claiming to have spent ₦64 billion on research, ₦12.3 billion on motorcycles, ₦80.5 billion on smart schools, and ₦7.9 billion on a recreational facility. Yet, as citizens traverse the landscape of Abia, they find little to substantiate these staggering figures. The promised smart schools remain elusive, the outcomes of the purported research are nowhere to be found, and the recreational facilities seem to exist solely in the realm of bureaucratic paperwork. This lack of tangible results raises serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of the current administration. The people of Abia ...

..........𝒂𝒔 𝑹𝒕 𝑯𝒐𝒏 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒖 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒃𝒖'𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 In the complex landscape of Nigerian politics, the rivalry between Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and President Bola Tinubu has become increasingly pronounced.  The ongoing tensions, often described as a proxy war, have raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among political observers and citizens alike.  The governor's camp has been vocal in its criticism of the president, leading to questions about the motivations behind these attacks and the implications for the political future of Abia State. At the heart of this political strife is the growing influence of Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who has been actively promoting President Tinubu's initiatives in Abia State.  Kalu's efforts to highlight the president's projects have not only garnered attention but have also positione...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑶𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒘𝒂 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 In a vibrant display of political enthusiasm and community spirit, the citizens of Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) in Abia State turned out in droves to welcome the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR. The occasion marked the inauguration of the Obingwa chapter of the Renewed Hope Partners, a movement aimed at galvanizing support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region. As the sun rose over Obingwa, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Supporters adorned in APC colors filled the streets, chanting slogans and waving banners that expressed their unwavering support for both Rt. Hon. Kalu and President Tinubu. The massive turnout was a testament to the deep-rooted affection the people of Abia State have for thei...