How Labour Party Lawmakers Clashed Over Ben Kalu’s Call for Otti to Join APC

Labour Party lawmakers in Abia State are at odds over Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu’s call for Governor Alex Otti to join the APC. Ginger Onwusibe defends Kalu, while Obi Aguocha criticizes the remarks as disrespectful, exposing a rift within the party.

A deepening rift has emerged within the Labour Party in Abia State, as two prominent federal lawmakers publicly clashed over a recent statement made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. The tension arose after Kalu suggested that Governor Alex Otti of Abia should consider joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking outrage from some party members.

Ginger Onwusibe, the Labour Party’s representative for Isiala Ngwa South/North, came to Kalu’s defense, dismissing criticisms of the Deputy Speaker’s remarks as unfounded. Onwusibe argued that Kalu’s comments were merely an attempt to “market” his party and were not intended to disrespect Governor Otti.

“What is wrong with what Kalu said?” Onwusibe questioned, emphasizing that Kalu did not denigrate the governor in any way. “If you listen carefully to what he said, he is only marketing his party and indirectly calling on Otti to come and take an APC ticket,” Onwusibe stated. He further noted that Kalu acknowledged the governor’s performance and described him as a friend.

However, this defense did not sit well with Hon. Obi Aguocha, another Labour Party lawmaker from Abia, who had earlier criticized Kalu’s remarks as “condescending” and “disrespectful” towards Governor Otti. Aguocha argued that Kalu’s statement was an unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of the Labour Party and an attempt to undermine the governor’s leadership.

The disagreement between Onwusibe and Aguocha highlights a growing divide within the Labour Party’s ranks in Abia, as members navigate the complexities of their relationships with politicians from other parties. Onwusibe’s loyalty to Kalu, despite being a Labour Party member, has raised questions about the cohesiveness of the party’s leadership in the state.

Onwusibe, who also serves as the leader of the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives, insisted that his support for Kalu was based on a longstanding friendship and professional respect, rather than any political maneuvering. He dismissed rumors that he and Kalu were planning a joint ticket for the 2027 governorship race, accusing his colleagues of spreading “unfounded lies” to undermine him.

“This is exactly how the PDP forced me out of the party with unfounded lies,” Onwusibe lamented, urging his fellow lawmakers to refrain from heating up the political landscape with unnecessary conflicts. He reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party and to Governor Otti’s leadership, but maintained that Kalu’s statement should be seen as a legitimate expression of party loyalty rather than a personal attack.

As the fallout from this disagreement continues, the Labour Party in Abia faces the challenge of maintaining unity in the face of external pressures and internal dissent.