In the realm of political discourse, it is not uncommon for individuals to express divergent views, especially when it comes to the actions and statements of public figures. Recently, Hon. Obi Aguocha representing Ikwuano – Umuahia federal Constituency in the House of Representatives launched a damaging criticism of Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s interview, which has sparked considerable debate. While Hon Aguocha’s perspective is certainly valid, it is essential to examine the arguments presented and provide a counterpoint that highlights the merits of Hon Benjamin Kalu’s statements and the broader context in which they were made.
Understanding the context is key to fully appreciate the nuances of the deputy speaker’s interview; so one must first understand the political landscape in which he operates. As a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has been vocal about various issues especially peace and insecurity affecting his constituency, the Igbo man and the nation at large. His interview was not merely a platform for self/community promotion; rather, it was an opportunity to promote his party – the APC- by addressing pressing concerns and articulate a vision for progress. Wooing Dr Alex Otti to join his party is no crime and emphasizing President Tinubu ‘s kindness to the southeast by signing the SEDC bill into law after 54 years of deliberate marginalization is an open truth.
Aguocha’s critique, while it focused on specific points, overlooked the broader implications of Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s message.
One of the central themes of Hon. Kalu’s interview was his brotherly advice to his friend of over 22 years – Dr Alex Otti to rejoin the APC he left not too long ago as the LABOUR PARTY NOT DR. ALEX OTTI will not see the Umuahia government house again in 2027. This to Hon Aguocha is a crime.
And as if this was not enough, the political neophyte – grieved why Hon. Benjamin Kalu must regularly refer to himself as the 6th in the political hierarchy in Africa’s largest democracy. If this is not envy and jealousy, what name would it rather wear?
Hon. Aguocha’s attack seems to dismiss the reality of Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s status as the nation’s number 6 citizen, but merely, yet ignorantly liken everything around the Bende legislator as arrogance. But, it is crucial to recognize Kalu’s proposals to Gov. Otti is grounded in a genuine addiction to friendship and desire to uplift Abia State, and not to dislodge him.
Hon. Aguocha ‘s assumption of Kalu’s governorship ambition remains in his shallow imagination. And at no time, place or in the disparaged video did Hon. Kalu indicate in the slightest of manners, that he wants to oust Dr Otti; rather he insists that ousting the Labor party from the Umuahia government house is as sure as the dawn of a new day. Aguocha’s poor thinking and poverty of deep thought has robbed him and his colony of weak intellectuals the ability of deep thinking. Hon Benjamin Kalu’s advice to Dr Otti resonates with Otti’s real supporters who still want him to continue his good work beyond 2027. But many are led by the nose, by greed, envy and jealousy like Hon. Aguocha who lacks this realization as a legislative neophyte.
Hon. Aguocha is seen in Abuja and Abia State as Hon. Kalu’s pal, ‘body – body’ and soul but with this unwarranted attack, it is most manifest that Hon. Aguocha can be likened to a Brutus of Nigerian politics.
From all indications, what is playing out here is the tragedy of envy featuring Hon. Obi Aguocha acting the Brutus in Abuja. The character of Brutus embodies a complex interplay of loyalty, deceit, envy, and jealousy. Hon. Aguocha’s attitude towards Hon. Benjamin Kalu, a figure he once admired, evolved into a profound condemnation that ultimately drives the narrative’s tragic arc.
Hon. Aguocha’s
condemnation of the deputy speaker is rooted in envy and jealousy – as the belief in his greater self is believed to be threatened by the ever rising political profile of Hon. Benjamin Kalu – the Deputy Speaker.
In pretense, Hon. Aguocha views the deputy speaker not merely as a friend but as a potential tyrant – having risen in acceptance nationally with a regional acceptance that was recently demonstrated to the last man in the southeast in the last national protest #Endbadgovernancenow#. The total compliance in the southeast of Hon Kalu’s plea of Igbo non-participation in the protest surprised and angered Hon. Aguocha to wish the destruction of his ‘friend’. Despite their close relationship, Hon. Aguocha is deeply troubled by the idea of one man – Hon Kalu being listened to by Ndigbo.
Hon. Aguocha fears that the deputy speaker ‘s ascent to regional and national relevance would undermine his dwarf-like ambition of 2027. Again like Brutus’s soliloquy, where he grapples with the moral implications assassinating Caesar, Hon. Aguocha couched his anti-Kalu vituperation in his deceit of love for Abia State and Dr Alex Otti. There is no doubt that Hon. Aguocha would be quoted soon to have said “Not that I loved Ben Kalu less, but that I loved Abia State more,” thus highlighting his internal conflict and the prioritization of civic duty to Abia State over personal loyalty and friendship with Hon. Ben Kalu.
Moreover, Hon.Aguocha’s condemnation is fueled by his secret desire to outdo the Deputy Speaker. Remember Hon. Aguocha’s well crafted after thought of pushing for Nnamdi Kanu’ s freedom with a hurriedly assembled 50 legislators putting pen on paper and the further mid-day flight to Daura to see former President Mohammadu Buhari where he tendered an unsolicited apology to the general on the recalcitrance of Maxi Nnamdi Kanu. Good as all these would appear, they were all products of envy and jealousy crafted to douse the spreading volcano of Hon. Kalu’s peace engineering efforts across the country.
Bende APC Stakeholders are not unaware of Hon. Aguocha’s perception of the Deputy Speaker as a potential threat and despot even as he enjoys limitless magnanimity from the nation’s number 6 citizen. Ultimately, Hon. Aguocha’s condemning attitude towards the deputy speaker reflects a tragic irony and is fueled by a verifiable tragedy of jealousy.
Imagine Hon. Aguocha’s threat to recall the deputy speaker from the parliament and his phantom allegation of the labour party winning the 2023 election in Bende federal Constituency!! So, all the while, he has been frolicking with the deputy speaker and enjoying preferential treatment if you like, Hon. Aguocha was deftly scheming for his ‘friend’s destruction and downfall. The iniquities contained in his heart and the maradonic concealment of this is a thesis worth interrogating. Bende stakeholders by this intervention challenge Hon. Aguocha to a popularity test with the deputy speaker using any parameter of his choice.
We are at a loss at what wrong the deputy speaker has committed. But while criticism is a fundamental aspect of democracy, it is crucial that such criticism are constructive and aimed at fostering dialogue rather than division. Hon. Aguocha’s attack on the deputy speaker, while highlighting certain issues, ultimately detracts from the larger conversation of the vehicle by which Abia State is governed. It is our considered opinion that Hon. Aguocha is ill equipped to incite and galvanize a misunderstanding between Dr Alex Otti and the deputy speaker. As a learner and neophyte, we invite him to avail himself tutorials on governance. It is doubtful that the deputy speaker ‘s interview was the only issue that provoked Hon. Aguocha; rather our envy-jealousy thesis is the injurious driver that has exposed the political Lilliput from Ohuhuland. Permit us to advice you Hon. Aguocha……you will do well to answer to the allegations of Constituency fund diversion facing you at home. Mudslinging directed at Bende performer cannot extricate you from the odium at home as the threat of recall from parliament dangling on your neck is real and the guillotine is nearby for the harvest of your brain.
Signed…..
1. Chief Daniel Akwari
2. Prof. Victor Ukogo
3. Lady Philomena Ikwuegbu
4. Chief Joshua Jonah
5. Lolo Esther ojigwe
6. Hon.Chijioke Chukwu
