Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has defended House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, amid criticism following his call for Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC). Kalu’s statement, made during a recent media appearance where he expressed confidence that APC would take over Abia in 2027, has sparked backlash, particularly from the Labour Party, Otti’s current political platform.
Reacting to the uproar, Ohanaeze Youth Council President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the attacks on Kalu as baseless and unnecessary. In a statement released on Thursday, Okwu argued that Kalu’s remarks were in no way disrespectful to Governor Otti or his office. According to him, Kalu’s invitation was simply a political gesture aimed at reuniting Otti with his former party, the APC, which he left before joining the Labour Party.
Okwu emphasized that such invitations are routine in politics and should not have sparked the controversy currently playing out. He further noted that Kalu’s call for Otti to join APC was similar to previous invitations extended to other governors, including former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu during his second term under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okwu recalled that Ikpeazu had even responded by inviting Kalu to rejoin the PDP, without any media uproar or tension.
“It is within Kalu’s rights to lobby and advocate for what he believes is best for the South East, including urging influential leaders like Governor Otti to join the ruling party,” Okwu stated, adding that Kalu’s work in securing the South East Development Commission is just one example of his commitment to the region.
Okwu urged Ndigbo to respect leadership and move away from the divisive mentality that has long plagued the region. He warned that any attack on Kalu is an attack on the Igbo youth, vowing that the council would not tolerate any further insults directed at the Deputy Speaker.
