The Abia State government has fired back at Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, accusing him of targeting Governor Alex Otti’s administration to further his governorship ambitions.

Kalu, representing Bende Constituency, had at a recent All Progressives Congress (APC) event in Umuahia alleged that the Otti-led administration has underperformed despite receiving substantial federal allocations. He further claimed that the APC would take control of Abia in 2027.

Reacting, Ferdinand Ekeoma, special adviser to Governor Otti on media and publicity, described Kalu’s comments as “spurious allegations” and politically motivated. Ekeoma noted that Kalu failed to account for factors such as naira depreciation, the rise in the minimum wage, and the growth of the state’s civil service from 31,000 to over 67,000 employees.

The statement also criticized Kalu for appealing to the Lagos State government over recent demolitions, questioning the sincerity of the move.

“It is clear that Kalu has unmasked himself and his political ambition while pretending to champion President Tinubu’s agenda. His comments are aimed at advancing selfish interests rather than addressing governance issues,” the statement read.

The Abia government further mocked Kalu’s claims about public support, insisting that residents who came out to welcome Governor Otti did so voluntarily and without coercion.

Ekeoma advised the deputy speaker to “relax and wait for the appropriate time to launch his governorship bid” and stressed that any challenge to the government must be backed by financial literacy, not mere rhetoric.