Abia APC Slams LP Faction Over Attack on Senator Kalu

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has berated the Umuehim Nvosi faction of the Labour Party in the state for attacking the person of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu rather than responding to the critical issues he raised. 

The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru said that the Senator raised valid issues including rising cost of education in that state that require explanations and not attack from the factional LP. 

“The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) considers it necessary to respond to the recent outburst by the Umuehim Nvosi faction of the Labour Party, which chose to attack the person of Orji Uzor Kalu rather than engage the critical issues he raised.

Ordinarily, as a leading political party, we would not concern ourselves with faceless and fragmented groups parading as representatives of a faction whose legitimacy remains unrecognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and which, in the eyes of the law as it stands, does not exist, unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise, if such an opportunity ever arises.

However, we are compelled to respond because their statement, rather than provide answers to the substantive issues raised by Senator Kalu in Igbere, descended into needless innuendos, name-calling, and personal attacks, completely ignoring matters of urgent public concern”, the statement reads in part.

The party added that “Senator Kalu raised fundamental and widely acknowledged issues, including the rising cost of education in Abia State, the poor welfare conditions of lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions, and the continued neglect of teachers in primary and secondary schools. These are not speculative claims; they are realities known to the people. Yet, instead of addressing these concerns, the faction resorted to attacking his person and family.

He further highlighted the absence of new infrastructure development by the current administration, noting that what is being showcased are rehabilitated projects initiated by past governments, including those executed during his tenure between 1999 and 2007. And being rehabilitated at an embarrassingly humungous cost. Once again, no factual rebuttal was offered only abuse.

More concerning is his warning about the emergence of political violence and what may rightly be described as political banditry, developments previously alien to Abia’s political landscape but now emboldened by the utterances of Governor Otti and his supporters.

 These are serious citizens concerns that demand thoughtful engagement, not emotional outbursts, not intimidation, not blackmail as we have seen in the released by factional group.”

APC maintained that “to dismiss such weighty issues as mere “fear” reflects a lack of patriotism and a troubling disregard for the genuine concerns of the Abia people.

Senator Kalu’s call on Alex Otti to prioritize the welfare of Abians and ensure the prudent use of public resources is a patriotic and statesmanlike intervention one that deserves commendation from all well-meaning citizens.”.

It called on the Umuehim Nvosi faction of the Labour Party to “abandon the path of personal attacks and instead demonstrate a little sense of responsibility by addressing the issues raised and working towards improving governance in the state.”