The office of the Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has launched a scathing rebuttal to what it described as “false claims” by the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party, accusing Governor Alex Otti of misinformation and poor governance.
In a statement signed by George Maduka on Tuesday, the senator’s office dismissed a recent Labour Party press release as “watery,” alleging it bore “the unmistakable tone of Governor Alex Otti and the writing of one Ferdinand Ekeoma.”
“We are compelled to provide a measured, factual rebuttal to correct the record and enlighten the public—katharen aletheian, the pure, untainted truth,” the statement said.
The statement rejected claims that Senator Kalu made threats of violence, insisting he remains a committed democrat.
“It is a mark of intellectual torpor for the Labour Party to equate a passionate political speech with a threat of violence. Senator Kalu is a core democrat who has never attempted to manipulate or write election results,” Maduka stated.
He challenged the state government to produce evidence of such allegations, arguing that Kalu had instead been a victim of electoral manipulation.
“If anyone has been a victim of manipulated results, it is Senator Kalu… though his trust was betrayed by self-serving politicians like Otti,” he added.
The statement also accused Governor Otti of political opportunism and internal party instability.
“If there is any panic, it resides squarely with Otti, whose party is factionalised into three. He is a cunning opportunist, aware that his time is expiring,” it said.
On governance, the senator’s office alleged rising social challenges in the state under Otti’s administration.
“Under his administration, the state now faces unprecedented indecency: drug abuse, vandalism of government property, unwanted pregnancies, and other societal vices hitherto alien to Abians,” the statement claimed.
Defending Kalu’s legacy, the statement insisted that many ongoing infrastructure projects in the state were initiated during his tenure as governor.
“Kalu is correct: Otti is merely reconstructing roads laid by Senator Kalu… the current works are continuations, or continuum, of foundational projects,” it said.
It further questioned the utilisation of increased federal allocations to the state.
“If Governor Otti has ‘all the money in the world’ and allocations are at an all-time high, why are workers owed arrears? Why have pensions remained unsettled?” the statement queried.
The statement also raised concerns over wage implementation and alleged financial mismanagement.
“The ₦70,000 minimum wage is incompletely implemented: junior staff earn ₦29,000, road sweepers ₦23,000, and supervisors get ₦47,000,” it alleged.
Maduka further accused the administration of prioritising propaganda over development.
“₦560 million is expended monthly on media propaganda, manufacturing an illusion of performance,” he said.
The senator’s office challenged Governor Otti to open the state’s financial records to scrutiny.
“We dare Governor Otti to submit to a forensic audit of the state’s finances from day one. The contrast… will be undeniable,” the statement declared.
It also dismissed criticisms of Kalu’s personal wealth, stressing that his business success predates his political career.
“Kalu built his house prior to governance, emerging from the private sector as a legitimate international business magnate… attaining billionaire status at the age of 26,” the statement said.
The statement concluded by urging the Labour Party to focus on governance rather than political attacks.
“We advise the Labour Party to focus on governance… Abians are discerning; the era of propaganda is ongoing, but the people see through the smoke and mirrors—aletheia prevails,” it added.
