Politics

OPINION: Can Benjamin Kalu Be Trusted? Part I ~ Ndimele George

Published

3 months ago

August 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

OPINION:

Can Benjamin Kalu Be Trusted? Part I

~ Ndimele George

There once lived a farmer who found a venomous viper while walking home after a busy day at his farm. The snake was freezing to death in the cold evening harmattan breeze. The pitiful snake pleaded with the farmer, begging to be let into his warm coat, where it could rest until it had regained its strength.

The farmer thought himself a kind man, so he picked up the innocent looking viper, and wrapped it within his coat to make it warm. The viper, revived by the warmth, bites his rescuer, who dies realizing that it is his own fault.

Suffice I to say that one should never expect a reward or any act of good from the wicked, no matter what you do for them. The farmer knew that there was enmity and natural antipathy between his kind and the snake’s, but he was moved by empathy. He failed to realise that a serpent in the bosom, a mouse in a bag and fire in a barn gave their hosts an ill reward.

This diegesis is an analogy of the man – Benjamin Okezie Kalu, chief manipulator number one deceiver and betrayer of trust.

Recently, Kalu, publicly declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take over the governance of Abia state in 2027. This pronouncement is laughable and anyone who knows Kalu would never take a man who betrayed his political godfather, seriously.

Isn’t this the same Kalu who was accused by Ikechi Emenike of sowing seeds of discord among APC party members and using propaganda and blackmails to disunite the party for his own selfish interest, during the 2023 elections?

Who would take a mole like Kalu who was busy hobnobbing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seriously? Of course, he’ll always do what he knows how to do best – betray – just as he did to Ikechi Emenike.

A man who instigated a lot of crisis in the APC and even went on to discourage Ikechi from reconciling with other factions in the party.

Kalu has always been known as a man whose belly is his god. No wonder he accepted the offer to be Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives which is the 6th position in the hierarchy of office and position of power in the nation, against the collective decision of Ndigbo.

Kalu has constantly brought nothing but insults and ridicule to not just Abians, but the entire South-East, by agreeing to play second fiddle to other zones. A dishonest man who is constantly at war with his party men over his selfish interest cannot determine who becomes what in Abia State.

As is typical of a deceiver like Kalu, he crept into Alex Otti, who gave him warmth, only to turn around and betray the people’s governor. You claim to be friends, what kind of friend are you, Benjamin “Brutus” Kalu? It’s quite unfortunate that Otti trusted a scoundrel like Kalu and allowed him within his circle. Kalu’s actions towards his ‘friend’ Otti is as a chill and wily snake that was cherished in the governor’s bosom.

His track record and actions suggest that his trustworthiness is questionable. His sudden confidence in the APC taking over Abia state in 2027 is nothing but a desperate attempt to cling to power. His statements come across as more of a rallying cry for his party than a genuine concern for the people of Abia state.

Kalu’s commendment of Otti’s performance as governor while simultaneously stating that Abia should be governed by the APC reeks of political opportunism. Is he genuinely interested in the welfare of Abia state or just trying to score cheap political points?

If he really cares about the people, then his assertion that the APC will determine who becomes the next governor of Abia state without considering the will of the people is deeply troubling. Does he believe in democracy or is he trying to impose his party’s will on the people?

Can he be trusted to prioritize the interests of the people over his party’s ambitions? Only time will tell, but for now, his trustworthiness remains in question.

Asides recruiting the same crop of kleptocrats who looted Abia’s treasury, into APC, what other achievements does he have?

Kalu’s arrogance and sense of self-importance led him to betray his former boss and mentor, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, demonstrating a callous disregard for loyalty and friendship. His ruthless ambition and desire for power drove him to turn against Orji Uzor stabbing him in the back with calculating precision. Kalu is nothing but a man with no integrity and honour left, trying to get relevant and recognised by the central government.

Like the viper in the farmer’s coat, Kalu’s true nature has been revealed, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in his wake. Abians now knows who the real Benjamin Kalu is, a man whose thirst for power and self-interest has led him down a path of destruction, leaving his reputation in tatters.

Abians must demand integrity, honesty, and transparency from those in power and reject those who would seek to exploit and deceive us. Only then can we build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.

To be continued…

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

16 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

22 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent