South-east Group Berates Deputy Speaker for Insulting Gov Otti’s Late Father, Demands Apology

Wale Igbintade 

A socio-cultural and political group, the South-East Positive Movement (SEPM), has commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for exhibiting restraint and maturity by not responding to what it described as “deeply offensive” comments made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, about his late father.

In a strongly worded statement issued in Abakaliki and signed by its chairman, Hon. Uguru Ukandu, the group condemned Kalu’s remarks and called for an unreserved public apology to Governor Otti, the people of Abia State, and the Igbo nation at large.

“It is a taboo in Igboland for any grown man or woman to speak ill of the dead—much less someone in a position of national leadership who should embody the Igbo values of reverence for elders and the departed.

 “We were shocked when the Honourable Deputy Speaker publicly uttered unprintable words about Governor Otti’s late father. No political gain can justify such sacrilege,” SEPM said

The group continued: “We are still awaiting his full and public apology to Dr. Otti, Ndi Abia, and Ndigbo for that thoughtless and reckless statement. It is even more disappointing that such words came from a public official who was supported by an entire state, yet whose own mandate came from just one local government area.”

SEPM praised Governor Otti’s calm and dignified silence in the face of the attack, noting that he neither responded directly nor through proxies.

“Governor Otti’s refusal to descend to the Deputy Speaker’s level is a mark of true leadership. He has once again demonstrated the maturity, poise, and emotional intelligence expected of a statesman,” the statement added.

The group further advised Hon. Kalu to concentrate on his responsibilities as Deputy Speaker and “stop attempting to impress President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with political antics that are clearly beyond his reach.”

They also criticised President Tinubu for what they described as tacit encouragement of party members who “resort to stirring up needless conflicts in a bid to inflate their relevance.”

SEPM recalled the unresolved issues surrounding a face-off between the Otti-led Abia State Government and individuals allegedly linked to the Deputy Speaker.

According to the group, “Hon. Benjamin Kalu has yet to offer any clear explanation regarding the allegations against his Chief Aide, Sam Hart, and other directors of a company accused of attempting to fraudulently take over Abia State’s investments. One would expect a public official, especially one eyeing reelection and positioning himself as President Tinubu’s gateway to the South-East, to come clean on such serious allegations.”