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Obi Aguocha: Deputy Speaker, Kalu did no wrong asking Gov. Otti to rejoin APC
By Stanley Ohajuruka
Envy is not a virtue. This is perhaps, an admonition most appropriate for the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha in response to his diatribe and vituperations I read earlier today against the deputy speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who equally represents Bende Federal Constituency of the State.
Obviously, Aguocha was pretending to respond to a recent interview where the deputy speaker called the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election, vowing that the party must win Abia in the next election.
While I have no issues with the federal lawmaker from LP disagreeing with Kalu on the submission, I am however worried by the total drift from the issue at stake to an unbridled display of envy and hate.
Reading between the lines, I could see a man who has been harbouring so much animosity against the person and the office of the deputy speaker. I could also see a man who was only waiting for an opportunity to pull the trigger and incidentally, one happened through the interview and he chose to lay bare his tongue to make lethal utterances.
To say the least, this is very unfortunate and mischievous too. My reading of the situation is that Hon. Obi Aguocha has shown he’s tired of pretending to be Kalu’s friend and ally and decided to show it in most brazenly manner. May I, again, remind, Aguocha that pretence is also not a virtue.
Come to think of it. In the real political sense, what is the offence of the deputy speaker? That he asked the governor of his state to return to his former political party? Come off it. Is that what anyone would do for his party?
May be, Obi Aguocha, a neophyte in political discourse needs some political education to know that Kalu by virtue of his position and the office is a national leader of our party and as such would at any time show predilection for the recruitment of new members into his party.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu is largely concerned about the development of the country. Abia State is a sub national government and Kalu, like any other leader from the area is also interested in the progress of the State. And so, the call to Governor Otti to join APC is purely in the economic interest of the State.
The implication of this is that, both leaders will join hands to work for the good and rapid development of the state.
From every conceivable stance, it is obvious that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown serious goodwill in Igbo Land with the recent signing into law of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill. And to an appreciable degree, Kalu who sponsored the bill has consciously demonstrated conspicuous affinity with the presidency in a way that will benefit Abia State and the entire south eastern political ecosystem and landscape.
If this can be happen when most of states in the region are in the opposition, it simply means that they can get more from people-oriented, interventionist projects of the federal government should they belong to the same political party. And this is largely what informed the call to the governor to join the progressive party.
So, Kalu’s comment tilts more towards economic growth of Abia State and by extension, the south east than the deduceable connotations for political manovering ahead of 2027 general elections.
Again, let it also be stated that Kalu wants the best for his state in terms of economic growth and development and nothing more. And because, Nigeria operates a political party system, it can only be natural for any leader of his position to call on his friends, one of whom is Dr. Alext Otti, the Governor of Abia who he said is doing well to join the APC.
Ohajuruka, a former Acting Governor of Abia State, former speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, former member, House of Representatives and APC Chieftain writes from Umuahia.
The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has formally assumed office following the completion of the handover process by the former Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, OFR.
The handover was conducted Thursday 23rd April 2026, within the stipulated timeline following President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s directive.
Mr. Edun’s period in office was marked by the advancement of key fiscal and economic reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment and repositioning the economy for sustainable growth.
These included efforts to strengthen revenue performance, improve fiscal coordination, and support broader structural reforms under the Administration’s economic agenda.
The newly appointed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Oyedele in his remarks commended the outgoing Minister for his service and contributions to the ongoing reform efforts in the economy.
He further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the confidence reposed in him to serve in this capacity. He also extoled Mr. Wale Edun for his service to the nation and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Welcoming the new Minister to the Ministry in this new capacity, the Permanent Secretary, Finance, Mr. Raymond Omachi and Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma pledged full support and loyalty of the Management and staff of the Ministry in advancing the Minister’s mandates.
Mr. Oyedele reaffirmed his readiness to working closely with the leadership and staff of the Ministry in order to deliver concrete outcomes aligned with the government’s economic priorities.
He emphasised the need to build on existing reforms while focusing on measurable impact across key sectors of the economy.
The assumption of office signals continuity in the Ministry’s service delivery to the nation, with focus on deepening economic reforms, fiscal discipline, and improved outcomes for Nigerians.
Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike is set to inspect Karu Township road due for completion by May 2026 in the next few minutes.
The minister has been monitoring projects in the Territory bumper to bumper to ensure completion in due time.
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Legislators’ Forum has strongly condemned the latest move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure Senate approval for an additional external loan of $516,333,070, ostensibly for the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the regional leaders of the Forum: Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole ,PhDChairmanADC -National Legislators’ Forum African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Hon Nnenna Ukeje-SEHon Sergius Ogun-SSHon Ajagbe H -SWHon Zakari Mohammed -NCHon Koko Shehu -NWHon Maigari Bello M-NE stating that:
“This request is not only alarming but emblematic of an administration that has made reckless borrowing its default economic policy, with little regard for sustainability, accountability, or the wellbeing of future generations.
“While no responsible opposition undermines the importance of infrastructure development, we must ask: at what cost, and under what conditions? This government has failed to convincingly demonstrate that its endless appetite for loans is guided by a coherent, transparent, and economically viable repayment strategy.
“Instead, Nigerians are witnessing a troubling pattern; one where debt accumulation is prioritized over prudent fiscal management, innovation, and domestic resource mobilization.
“Nigeria is already weighed down by a crushing debt burden, with debt servicing swallowing a staggering proportion of national revenue. Yet, rather than confronting this reality with discipline and reform, the Tinubu administration continues to plunge the country deeper into what can only be described as a looming debt catastrophe. Each new loan tightens the noose around the nation’s economic sovereignty, leaving future generations to pay for today’s lack of foresight.
“Even more disturbing is the timing of this request. As the nation inches closer to a major general election cycle, Nigerians are right to question the motives behind this borrowing spree.
” Is this truly about development, or is it another attempt to create avenues for political patronage and electoral advantage? History has taught us to be wary of last-minute, large-scale financial commitments made under the guise of national interest.
“The ADC Legislators’ Forum insists that the National Assembly must not act as a rubber stamp or Pro group of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this matter.
“The Senate, in particular, must rise to its constitutional responsibility by demanding full disclosure of the project’s financial details, procurement processes, cost-benefit analysis, and a credible repayment plan.
“Anything short of this would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
“Furthermore, we call on the administration to redirect its focus toward policies that can genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s economy; policies that promote productivity, industrial growth, job creation, and the plugging of revenue leakages.
“Borrowing should never be a substitute for leadership, creativity, and accountability.
“We must clearly state that governance is not a free ride without consequences. Those who make decisions today that endanger the economic future of millions of Nigerians must understand that a day of reckoning will inevitably come. The Nigerian people will demand answers, accountability, and justice for policies that have deepened hardship and mortgaged the nation’s destiny.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. We can either choose the path of responsibility, discipline, and sustainable growth, or continue down this perilous road of debt dependency and economic vulnerability. The Tinubu administration must decide where it stands; but Nigerians are watching, and history will not be kind to those who fail this nation.
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