Kalu denies moves to shut out Otti from APC

 

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed claims that he is working against the possible defection of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kalu said his public invitation to Governor Otti to join the APC was motivated by friendship and the broader interest of the ruling party, insisting that suggestions of a plot to block the governor were unfounded.

Speaking with journalists at his residence in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday, the Deputy Speaker said he had consistently promoted unity and growth within the party through his ongoing membership drive.

According to him, the same initiative facilitated the defection of a former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, to the APC.

“Claims that I want to block Governor Otti from joining the APC are not true,” Kalu said. “If I were self-centred, I would have done everything possible to prevent his entry, but instead, I am the one openly inviting him.”

Kalu stressed that his political focus is not driven by personal ambition, noting that holding the office of governor is not his ultimate goal.

“Being governor is not the peak of ambition for people like me,” he said, adding that his priority remains the delivery of meaningful development to Bende Federal Constituency.

He explained that decisions regarding his future political ambitions would be guided by the leadership of the APC and the will of the people of Abia State.

The Deputy Speaker also reaffirmed his support for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, arguing that it would promote equity, national cohesion and balanced development across the federation.

Kalu further dismissed reports alleging that road projects he attracted to Bende had been abandoned, describing such claims as misleading.