Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu: the Nwanza Story, Gov Alex Otti and Ndigbo; Time to Take Caution is Now
By Linus Abba Okorie
The Nwanza story is an Igbo adage about Nwanza, the little bird, which after a heavy meal, decided to challenge his chi (god) to a wrestling match!
That immortal saying in Igbo cultural cosmogony has been the standard advice against pride and all forms of its intoxication that always lead to the unraveling of anyone who fails to heed.
The recent ego trip and infantile vituperations against the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; who become loquaciously boastful of his rank as the 6th citizen, hence the 6th most important person in Nigeria’s political firmament is very shameful and smacks of the Nwanza story.
Hon. Kalu is the lackey greenhorn that arrived the National Assembly six years ago, and six years later became the 6th “most important” politician in Nigeria. What a feat!
Indeed, he is a lucky youngman, but then how lucky can one become to the point of discarding history and the rich lessons of HISTORY?
For starters, our younger brother must be awakened to the reality of his situation and the larger realities of his people, the Igbo people of Nigeria. He must be reminded that Ndigbo have never been strangers to the leadership of the Nigerian National Assembly.
In fact, at the dawn of Independence, the iconic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first Nigerian indigenous President of the Senate. After him was Prince Nwafor Orizu who was the President of the Senate up until 1966.
At the return of Democracy in 1979, Rt. Hon. Edwin Umezoke emerged SPEAKER of the House of Representatives until the military coup of 1983.
Again after the then recurrent military interregnums, at the dawn of the current democratic experience in 1999; NdiIgbo once again rose to the occasion as Sen. Evan Enwerem, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Sen Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim all at different times served as the President of the Senate and Chairmen of the National Assembly.
In the same breath, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha both served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; with Ihedioha ending the 2011-2015 tenure as Speaker of the House.
These great men all conducted themselves with decorum, respect for elders and regard to process; in the full knowledge of the solemnity of their positions as people holding forte for the Ndigbo and Nigeria. More so, as democrats who derive their powers and position from the collectivism of the peoples’ will.
It is, therefore, shocking that with this rich history at his disposal, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has been prancing around, trampling on the collective intelligence of Ndigbo just because he is today the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Hon. Kalu’s attacks on the Labour Party (LP), my party, the party that Nigerians especially his own people have come to embrace as the viable alternative is not just unfortunate, but a pathway to perdition and political hara-kiri.
Hon. Kalu needs not be reminded that Dr. Alex Otti, a distinguished Nigerian, banker, economic expert and development strategist towers well above his boastful and exuberant despondency.
Dr. Alex Otti has over time learnt the ropes of the Nigerian leadership trajectory and remains an unrepentant believer in both the power of the people and the power in the people.
Today he has become a shining example of the Peter Obi philosophy of A New Nigeria through his breakthrough governance in Abia State; a shining example of the difference good governance can make in a society.
For over two decades, Abia State had tottered on the brink; cascading towards the abyss of nothingness in governance and public service. However, in barely one year and half, the difference is clear as hopes have been reawakened in Abia State and the people are already self-mobilising for the progress ahead with Dr. Alex Otti.
Dr. Otti has come to work in Abia, the evidence is clear to even the blind; even as it is morning yet on creation day!
More so, Deputy Speaker Kalu should already know that Nigerians are wiser now and can no longer be railroaded to the Golgotha by political threats or deceitful cajoling. Accordingly, Abia, the God’s Own State, cannot be a reward for brigandage and political tokenism.
Like has been pointed out in other fora, President Bola Tinubu, as he promised during the runup to the 2023 general elections, has continued from where former President Mohammadu Buhari stopped-nay the marginalization and oppression of the Igbo people; the only difference is that the Ndigbo are now being openly given quit notices in parts of Nigeria. Thankfully, the resilient spirit of Ndigbo subsists and will continue to subsist.
Deputy Speaker Kalu should use the instrumentality of his “6th most important personality” to get his peers at the top echelon of Nigeria’s ruling class to instead of glossing over the issuing threats to Ndigbo, rather declare an emergency on hunger, darkness, insecurity and starvation that are devastating all Nigerians.
As already noted, Ndigbo are unapologetic in their political choices or the political party to support, especially with their past and present experiences with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Neither the eight years of Buhari, nor the current Tinubu presidency can change that. The take-it-by-force and run-with-it concept of 2023, and now being championed by Ben Kalu, will no longer work in Igboland.
For the avoidance of doubt, Deputy Speaker Kalu has the undeniable right to aspire to the highest office in Abia State in 2027, but he has to campaign and convince the people to elect him to that exalted office.
Attacking Governor Alex Otti, or threatening Igbo people with a forceful reward for President Tinubu is definitely not be the way to go.
My dear younger brother, Hon. Benjamin Kalu should enjoy his sudden political windfall and unforeseen economic largesse in peace and tranquility. He should, at best, represent his people of Bende Federal Constituency; and if he chooses, the larger legitimate interests of Ndigbo.
One thing he must not do is to imagine that he can threaten Ndigbo into political submission. It won’t work, it has never worked; not on Ndigbo.
Finally, Benjamin Kalu is encouraged to remain abreast of the Nwanza fable.
Rep. Linus Okorie,FCA
#TheSenatorForAll
(House of Reps:2011-2019 & 2023/2024 LP Senatorial Candidate, Ebonyi South)