House Representatives Member, representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has bemoaned anti-Kalu protesters who barricaded the National Assembly complex yesterday demanding the seat of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to be declared vacant.
The protesters has been tagged as anti-Abia and sponsored by the opposition in the state.
In this statement signed by Hon. Kalu, who doubles as the Spokesperson of the 9th House of Reps. said the protesters were not from Abia. “I confirm that none of the demonstrators were recognizable to me as persons of Abia North extraction”, Hon. Kalu said.
According to him, “the impostors who paraded themselves as Concerned Citizens of Abia North demanding that the seat of the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, be declared vacant are unknown elements.
“As the legislator representing Senator Kalu in the House of Representatives, as a member of the House representing Bende in Abia North, and as an eye witness to the phoney protest by the so-called Concerned Citizens of Abia North at the National Assembly complex today, I confirm that none of the demonstrators were recognizable to me as persons of Abia North extraction. Furthermore, information reaching me from all known associations of Abia North people in Abuja indicate that the.
“The foregoing, including the Covid-19 protocols restricting interstate travel from Abia to Abuja FCT, strongly suggest that these picketers are paid protesters hired by an aggrieved opposition desperate for one final ploy to deprive Abia North of the competent representation of Senator Kalu. They therefore do not represent the voice of the people of Abia North”.
Speaking further, Hon. Kalu said the absence of Senator Kalu in the Senate did not deprived the people of Abia North to enjoy the dividend of his quality representation.
“It must be clearly stated that during his brief absence, Abia North was not deprived of adequate representation as can be seen by the sheer amount and quality of capital projects in the 2020 budget secured by Senator Kalu for the benefit of the Senatorial district.
“Also, all calls by the hired protesters for Senator Kalu’s seat to be vacated are unfounded because by any form of computation, the number of sittings missed by Senator Kalu during his brief incarceration do not warrant such vacation. Afterall, the fact remains that due to the NCDC recommended Covid-19 protocols, the National Assembly has barely sat this year. Nevertheless, we are certain that at the next sitting of the senate, Senator Kalu will be present.
“I wish to use this opportunity to thank the Senate for showing unwavering support for one of their own during this trying time; a camaraderie and solidarity that demonstrated exemplary faith in our judicial system, eventually allowing justice to run its full course.
“I also thank the entire people of Abia North for all their prayers and for standing strong during the travails of Senator Kalu. It was Bishop Desmond Tutu who said, “…the texture of our universe is one where there is no question at all but that good and laughter and justice will prevail”. Justice has prevailed for the good of the people of Abia North who are happy to continue enjoying the quality representation by Senator Kalu in the red chamber.
“All aggrieved members of the opposition are hereby cautioned to shun the temptation to undermine Abia North’s senatorial representation for the sake of personal benefit.
