Correcting the Deliberate Falsehoods Against Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu by Abia Govt
By Uche Aguoru
“A detailed rebuttal to allegations by the Abia State Government against Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, exposing misinformation, clarifying his role in federal interventions in Igbere, and demanding accountability over Abia’s missing ₦82bn smart schools project.”
Ordinarily, one would ignore the steady stream of misinformation and outright falsehoods emanating from the Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti, where distortion of facts appears to have been elevated to an unofficial policy.
However, in the interest of truth, clarity, and the public record, it has become necessary to set the facts straight and expose the deliberate attempt to mislead the public by Governor Otti and his agents.
Sometime in 2024, the people of Amaukwu Igbere in Bende Local Government Area approached the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, with a disturbing reality: Igbere Ward B had no functional hospital serving its population. This glaring absence of basic healthcare infrastructure—clearly within the constitutional responsibility of the Abia State Government—forced the community to seek federal intervention through their representative.
In the same vein, the community submitted requests for urgent intervention in public education infrastructure, which had been left in severe disrepair under the watch of the state government. These requests included:
Construction of a three-classroom block with a Headmaster’s Office at Eluokwe Community School
Renovation of a three-classroom block with a large auditorium at Eluokwe Community School
Renovation of a four-classroom block at Ezi Igbere Secondary School
Renovation of three separate three-classroom blocks at Ezi Igbere Secondary School
Renovation of a three-classroom block with a Principal’s Office and Library at Ezi Igbere Secondary School.
These schools had deteriorated to the extent that sections of their premises reportedly became havens for criminal activity and illicit drug use—an indictment of an administration that claims to have spent billions of naira on education and security.
Although these projects fall squarely within the responsibilities of the Abia State Government, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, consistent with his people-centred leadership style, intervened to attract federal support. He also facilitated the siting of a hospital in Igbere to ease the suffering of the people.
Following this intervention, the Central Council of Amaukwu Ebiri Autonomous Community, in April 2025, formally approved land for the proposed hospital. The community also secured approval from the Abia State Government for the reconstruction of the affected schools (copies of approval documents are available).
The clearing of the hospital site—including the removal of a dilapidated two-room structure reportedly used for drug abuse and other criminal activities—was carried out entirely by the community. This effort was led by the home-branch chairmen of Amaukwu, Amakpo, and Ibinanta Autonomous Communities.
For the avoidance of doubt, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu neither selected the site nor hired any contractor. His role was strictly to attract the project and ensure its delivery—not to supervise construction. As of today, he has not even visited the site, raising a fundamental question: how can a man who has never visited a location be accused of demolishing any facility there?
Such claims can only exist in the imagination of a manipulative administration seeking to conceal its failures through propaganda and deliberate misinformation.
It is therefore mischievous and dishonest for Governor Alex Otti, through his Chief Press Secretary, to drag the Deputy Speaker into matters in which he had no direct involvement—except for the obvious purpose of political mischief and blame-shifting.
Even more troubling is the revelation that when contractors arrived to commence approved renovation works—with all necessary documentation—they were allegedly resisted by a headmistress who claimed she had “express orders from Governor Otti” not to allow any reconstruction linked to Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
As incredible as this sounds, it speaks volumes about the level of intolerance, insecurity, and pettiness that now characterise governance in Abia State.
To block interventions meant to benefit Abia children and the Igbere community, and then turn around to play the victim, only further exposes the manipulation and insincerity of the Otti administration.
At no time did Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu demolish any school in Igbere or anywhere else. Any attempt to associate him with such actions is a deliberate falsehood crafted to mask the monumental failures of the Abia State Government.
Equally astonishing is the claim that the schools slated for renovation are part of a so-called “smart school” initiative. This assertion ranks among the most questionable claims in recent Abia history. Abians are still searching for the ₦82 billion reportedly earmarked for smart schools, which, to date, remain unseen across the state.
The truth must be told: Benjamin Kalu, despite political differences, has helped to fill glaring governance gaps in Abia State. At no point has he attempted to undermine Governor Otti. Rather, it is the Governor and his agents who have repeatedly targeted the person and office of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—simply for demanding accountability.
Instead of resorting to blame games and cheap propaganda, Governor Otti owes Abians a clear account of public funds and an honest explanation for non-existent projects such as smart schools, recreational facilities, ICT centres, and other initiatives for which funds were budgeted and allegedly drawn.
On calls for Governor Otti to join the APC, the Deputy Speaker has been unequivocal: he will no longer make such appeals. The Governor is entitled to belong to any political party of his choice. What truly matters is that he uses public resources to work for Abia State.
Leadership demands truth and accountability, not excuses, propaganda, and scapegoating.
Governor Otti should stop dragging the Deputy Speaker into manufactured controversies and instead explain to Abians where the ₦82 billion smart schools are located in Abia State.
Uche Aguoru
Public Affairs Analyst
