Gov Alex Otti and Rt Hon Ben Kalu 


Rep. Sam Onuigbo has called on those trying to create unnecessary rancour between the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti  and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to desist from doing so, for the good of Abia State. Onuigbo stated this while speaking to newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in Umuahia, on the sidelines of the “Renewed Hope Police Agenda on Strengthening Community Policing: Building a Safer Nigeria Together” event in Umuahia, Abia State.


Onuigbo who represents the South East on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), said that both Otti and Kalu have been working collaboratively to bring about robust development and progress in Abia State. He therefore likened them to the State’s best players whose cordial relationship must be allowed to flourish in the interest of Abia State’s growth.



The former lawmaker stated that those twisting Rt. Hon. Kalu’s assertion that Abians would want to show appreciation to President Tinubu for his goodwill to the State by electing a Governor from the All Progressives Congress (APC) are only doing so to disrupt the cordial relationship between Governor Otti and the Deputy Speaker. He warned that such actions which stem from a place of jealousy and evil can only hinder the progress being recorded in the State through the partnership between the two great sons of Abia State.


Onuigbo who maintained that no amount of evil machination will disrupt the cordial relationship between the two men, pointed out that it was in recognition of Rt. Hon. Kalu’s immense achievements that the State Governor organised a grand civic reception in his honour in December, 2023, where Abia Traditional Rulers gave the Deputy Speaker the prestigious chieftaincy title of “Enyi Abia”. He pointed out that on several occasions one of which was when the Deputy Speaker led a delegation to Governor Otti’s house to thank him for the grand civic reception held in his honour, Rt. Hon. Kalu has extolled Governor Otti for his exemplary leadership which is what Abia needs at the moment.


Rep Sam Onuigbo


“What they have is a very cordial relationship based on mutual respect, love for one another, and genuine passion for the development of Abia State. They are like our best players, and every serious team must always play their best players in order to win important games. So, no amount of efforts by detractors can destroy this relationship which will take Abia to the top.”


He therefore urged Abians to disregard the efforts of mischief makers and continue to support the two men, so that they will continue to win laurels for the State.