A major political feud has erupted in Abia State following a scathing response by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, over claims regarding his political rise.
In a lengthy and emotionally charged statement that has stirred intense political debate across the country, Benjamin Kalu openly challenged Orji Uzor Kalu’s repeated assertions that he “made” him politically, insisting that he was already an established political figure long before their paths crossed.
The Deputy Speaker described the former governor’s claims as false and misleading, accusing him of attempting to rewrite history while downplaying the sacrifices and loyalty he offered during difficult periods in the senator’s political journey.
According to Benjamin Kalu, his political involvement dated back to the early 2000s when he served as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the diaspora, covering nine provinces and participating in national conventions under the sponsorship of the PDP National Working Committee.
He further disclosed that he had already gained national political recognition during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo before meeting Orji Uzor Kalu.
The Deputy Speaker revealed that his first encounter with the former governor came through an introduction facilitated by former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Alhaji Shaibu Oyedokun, whom he cited as evidence that he was already politically connected and influential before meeting the former governor.
Benjamin Kalu also revisited the bitter political battles that characterized their relationship over the years, alleging that Orji Uzor Kalu consistently worked against his political ambitions despite publicly portraying himself as a mentor and benefactor.
He recounted how he opposed the nomination process that produced Orji Uzor Kalu’s preferred candidate for the Bende Federal Constituency seat in 2002, leading to a reconciliation committee headed by Chief P.C. Onyegbu.
According to him, the agreement reached at the time was that he would support the party’s candidate in exchange for future political opportunities, including a local government chairmanship position, promises he claimed were later withdrawn.
The Deputy Speaker alleged that despite supporting Orji Uzor Kalu’s second-term governorship ambition with financial and logistical assistance, the former governor repeatedly frustrated his political career by withdrawing support during critical moments.
He accused the former governor of secretly backing opposition candidates against him in multiple elections, including the 2011 and 2015 National Assembly contests, despite publicly endorsing him.
Benjamin Kalu further alleged that during one of the party primaries, thugs were allegedly mobilized to disrupt the process and seize electoral materials in a bid to stop his emergence.
The lawmaker also opened up on what he described as personal sacrifices he made during Orji Uzor Kalu’s legal troubles and incarceration abroad, claiming he stood firmly by the former governor when many political allies abandoned him.
He alleged that his business interests in Europe collapsed, resulting in losses amounting to millions of euros, due to complications connected to their business dealings during the former governor’s imprisonment.
In one of the most emotional parts of the statement, Benjamin Kalu claimed he rejected political offers from former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji out of loyalty to Orji Uzor Kalu during a difficult political period.
He said even members of the former governor’s family encouraged him to move on politically, but he chose to remain loyal because the senator was going through depression and political isolation at the time.
The Deputy Speaker also denied allegations that Orji Uzor Kalu played any role in his emergence as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, alleging instead that the former governor sponsored campaigns aimed at damaging his reputation within the National Assembly and the media.
Benjamin Kalu vowed to begin publicly responding to every allegation and narrative he considers false, saying he could no longer remain silent while what he described as “lies” were being spread about him.
The explosive exchange has intensified political tensions within Abia’s political establishment, with observers describing the feud as one of the most dramatic public fallouts between two high-ranking political allies in recent times.
Political analysts believe the development could reshape alliances ahead of future political contests in Abia State and the wider South-East region, especially considering the growing influence of both politicians within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
