Politics

Benjamin Kalu: OUK is the Real Betrayer, Liar

Published

8 months ago

October 7, 2025

admin

Political Persecution Against Igbo Leaders

Benjamin Kalu: OUK is the Real Betrayer, Liar

Once again, Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), the senator representing Abia North has chosen to travel the ridiculous route of infamy, spewing lies and hatred against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. This time, he is cashing in on the face-off between Ben Kalu and the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti over 2027.

In a piece purportedly written by the Media Advier to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Ferdinand Ekeoma but laden with his imprints, OUK tagged Ben Kalu a serial betrayer just to cast aspersions and portray him in bad light. This is rather unfortunate. I am not perturbed because that’s OUK’s stock in trade. It’s so familiar to everyone who knows him. Just as expected, Ekeoma has denied the press statement.

But in defence of Benjamin Okezie Kalu, I am compelled to make this clarification which will take me into memory lane to let the world know who the real betrayer is.

For once, let’s shout it to the mountain tops that Benjamin Kalu’s political profile is OUK’s greatest hurt. And so, at every turn, the Senator hurls darts at him, deriding him with choreographed story of betrayal. If he has any iota of truth in his story, let him activate the relevant laws against the Deputy Speaker but he can’t because the consequences will be great for him.

For far too long, I have chosen to be silent amid the barefaced lies peddled by OUK but not any more. I am a witness to what transpired and I hereby present the facts to put an end to this character assassination by OUK.

First, the Senator has never been Benjamin Kalu’s benefactor and never made him to become who he currently is. Let that sink. Perhaps, the first question that will challenge this lie is to ask OUK about Ben Kalu’s loss of 11million Euros during his imprisonment.

At this juncture, I am forced to retell the story of mutuality between OUK and Ben Kalu.

Orji Kalu and Ben Kalu met for the first time outside the country in year 2000. This happened in the presence of Chief Daniel Akwari who is from the same Bende LGA and he is still alive and others. Before this time, the Deputy Speaker was already an employer of labour with over 150 people in diaspora working in his own micro finance bank, major real estate business, ICT firms etc. Besides, he met Ben Kalu as the national chairman of PDP in diaspora with a huge follower-ship under his leadership. At that time Benjamin Kalu was leading the party and the Nigerian nationals. A former cross river state governor as well as the former deputy national chairman of PDP from the south west, Alhaji Shuib Oyedokun will attest to this.

The first picture OUK took with Ben Kalu, in diaspora is still in the archives and can be exhumed and tended as a hardcore evidence to this. And this is why, it amuses me when OUK says he bought air ticket for the Deputy Speaker for the first time. The question now becomes: At what point did he buy his ticket even when it is vividly clear in my head that OUK drove around town in the brand new Grand Jeep Cherokee of the Deputy Speaker and was negotiating to buy one of Ben Kalu’s properties in diaspora.

Benefactor? What makes him Ben Kalu’s benefactor when in the 22 years they worked together, he never gave him a Kobo except N2 million to print posters and campaign materials for OUK, delivered in two cheques by his younger brother Mascot Uzor kalu (the cheques pictures are there for evidence). To recount the dishonesty, OUK later confessed he severally sold the house of reps seat to a lady, PDP candidate in all the elections he participated and this happened after Ben Kalu had spent millions of Naira of personal fund to grow his party, the PPA. What wickedness? This is after he sent his younger brother to beg Ben Kalu to run with his party against his intention but to show loyalty, he agreed and again OUK sold the seat. He also made sure he used the PPA chairman to ensure Ben Kalu’s name never saw the light of the day as names submitted to INEC. The evidence is there. The party chairman then who got his instructions is still alive. Now, who is the betrayer?

So, this is why it gives me infantile convulsions to hear OUK say he is Ben Kalu’s benefactor or mentor. This is unfounded. Mentioning flight ticket when Ben Kalu has been the one buying him first class tickets for his over seas trips through his nominated travel agent owned by him and operated by one Madam Shola. Evidence abound if he challenges this.

On business claims, let me state that Benjamin Kalu brought an export business idea to OUK in Abuja on his invitation. This business was supposed to be between Ben Kalu and Mascot but since Mascot who was the best man during Ben Kalu’s wedding in 2005 did not show interest, his elder brother heard of it and invited Ben Kalu. Of course, he accepted the idea but decided to take 75% against all insistence of Ben Kalu to share 50/50%. Ben Kalu accepted, thinking he will invest according to his equity in the business but again he betrayed him, took more and invested less. The picture of the cheque from his company and the amount is still available if OUK contests this. To state the level of the deceit, he insisted that his partner, Ben Kalu as shareholder should report to his MD of Slok, DR Josef from Lebanon but he refused, insisting to report only to the board. His company secretary, a lady is still alive to attest to this if he contests it.

When Ben Kalu eventually raised it with OUK at the board meeting, he invited one of his brothers, a chartered accountant from his home town, Igbere to audit the account from inception. It was later confirmed that the man with 25% had invested more than a man with 75% and that angered OUK. He wanted the chattered accountant to change it and he said, no, it was unprofessional. That’s the deceit and betrayal of OUK, yet this man Ben Kalu will not discuss him publicly while OUK goes about thinking we are not aware.

For emphasis sake, let me also state here that OUK invested N150m while Ben Kalu invested N175m. The stamped audited report of the company is ready to be presented if he contests this.

For the umpteenth time, OUK should be told that the Deputy Speaker built the business over the years to become a multi million euro company in Belgium with branches in France as well. Ben Kalu took him every three months to Belgium for board meetings with all expenses paid by Ben Kalu. He should be told that Ben Kalu has also continued to maintain a calm and gentle demeanor, refusing to tell the world that he lost 11million euros the second week he was imprisoned at Kuje, Abuja prisons because he refused to leave his shares for his wife and children despite several warnings from three banks in Europe financing the businesses. Ben Kalu visited him severally in jail, asking him to replace his name with any of his relatives (wife, son, daughter, brother, mother ) but he refused. Ben Kalu lost a business he took 9 years to build and yet, you will not hear him call OUK out publicly as a betrayer. So who is the benefactor and who is the betrayer now?

I can recall that the bank claimed he was a criminal and can’t work with such a character. His refusal to replace his name led to the banks withdrawing their credits as well as the collapse of the business Ben Kalu built for years. Ask him what he did about it when he left jail And he turns around to claim a business he destroyed with his criminal conviction was squandered? Orji Kalu, where is the 11 million euros of Ben Kalu in the business you destroyed?

Now, among these two, who is the real benefactor here and who is the betrayer here? Please, ask Orji Kalu.

Orji Kalu should be told to stop lying to people because Ben Kalu without his input has built the remnant of the business in another African country to a multi million dollar company without any penny from him before joining politics, which is still prospering. He does not know any thing about the business. He was only invited but decided to take it over to destroy it.

Is it in politics that Orji Kalu played the benefactor role? I recall he was unequivocal when he told Ben Kalu to his face that he masterminded all his electoral woes, accepted entering into agreement with Ben Kalu’s opposition yet claiming to be working with him during elections. That’s the real betrayer. Two sets of elections and in all, he confessed selling it to a female candidate of another party. That’s the betrayer.

Simply put, Orji Kalu severally betrayed Ben Kalu because he never wanted him to join politics or to grow. Let him challenge this and I will show the world how he has always worked for Labour Party, yet claiming to be a member of APC.

He made his choice of who to support for presidency. Ben Kalu chose President Tinubu and this annoyed him the more. He felt betrayed that he refused to choose his candidate for presidential primaries and why should Ben Kalu be marketing President Tinubu under the National Assembly Tinubu Ambassadors. He betrayed him for refusing to betray Tinubu. If that’s the betrayal, then Ben Kalu will betray him again. Ben Kalu does not give President void votes, does not play APC in the morning and Labour Party at night. Unlike OUK, Ben Kalu’s position at all times and in all matters are known and clear. You know where he stands and you can take it to the bank. You can’t say that about OUK.

Factly, OUK didn’t want Ben Kalu to go for deputy speakership because of his Senate President ambition. It pained him that all his efforts to stop Ben Kalu from the primaries to general elections failed woefully. How will a man who willfully frustrated your political growth at the constituency level be happy seeing you run and become the Deputy Speaker? But this is what OUK serves the world as betrayal to the extent of accusing Benjamin Kalu of infidelity, and then, clandestinely sponsoring media attacks to damage his image and calling him unprintable names? He has started again but this time we will show the world who truly he is .

Truth the told, the Senators never wanted OUK as the President of the Senate. Of course, it is obvious he lacks the charisma, the education, the intellectual wherewithal, the technical competences, the political sagacity and the trust worthiness to occupy such a high office in the land. But reverse is completely the case when it comes to Ben Kalu. He has all it takes to be deputy speaker and more. He can be trusted but any one making OUK Senate President is signing his impeachment ahead of time. And the best of them all is the love his colleagues have for Ben Kalu and that was the reason he was unanimously elected unopposed into office as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

He bragged before the traditional rulers in Bende that if Ben Kalu fails to come and bow down before him for the 2023 elections, he will ensure he fails but Ben Kalu called his bluff and won his elections which was announced before his. That remains one of his pains. He felt demystified at all points and when he failed to stop Ben Kalu as Deputy Speaker, he cried like a baby in senate, that Nigeria has not been fair to him because Nigeria chose the best in a young dynamic man and left the deceit in a chronic betrayer like him.

The world should ask Orji Kalu to state when he has given a penny to Ben Kalu, contract as a governor or project as a principal officer of the senate. The deputy speaker is the one giving to him. Who then is the benefactor? The Deputy Speaker became a Local government chairman as a compensation for growing the party in 2003. It was a settlement for stepping down for the House of Reps office, still OUK fought him as a LGA chairman with his usual deceit. Ask Bende people about the story.

The world should know that Orji Kalu’s frustration is beyond business and politics. If he pushes further, we will unearth it. He hates Benjamin Kalu for failing to do his bidding, for being a man of grace and favour. It’s high time he allowed the innocent young man who is doing Nigeria proud to be. Orji Uzor Kalu is not God. He is rather the serial liar and betrayer.

As for Gov Alex Otti, Ben Kalu never had any contact with Alex Otti or anyone from his bank in the course of his business with Orji Kalu. I doubt it there was any reason to meet him.

It was later that his law firm was retained by Access Bank and it was not through Alex Otti. The company secretary of the Access Bank did it not Otti. So, attacking him personally is a weak response to his constructive criticism. Instead of addressing the issues, you are throwing in OUK awful relationship with Ben Kalu. The deputy speaker still insists on more transparency you promised Abians and accountability. You should do more than embarking on media attacks against your critics.

Nwachukwu is a public affairs analyst from Umuahia

Politics

Obi-Kwankwaso Defection: Recalibration That Could Redefine The Country’s Power Structure

Published

4 weeks ago

May 5, 2026

admin

Obi-Kwankwaso Defection: Recalibration That Could Redefine The Country’s Power Structure

Obi-Kwankwaso surge; the defection storm that could upend Nigeria’s political system.

Politics does not whisper at defining moments; it roars, demanding bold choices and decisive turns. Today, the evolving journeys of Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, flagbearer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in that same contest, capture the urgency of this moment.

This is not a quest for mere relevance or routine recalibration; it is a high-stakes pivot and a deliberate search for a credible platform capable of bearing the weight of a serious national challenge and reshaping the country’s political destiny.

What many once dismissed as improbable is now gaining the texture of inevitability: a broad, reform-minded alliance anchored on the convergence of supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso, now christened the OK Movement. This is no ordinary political maneuver; it is a recalibration that could redefine the country’s power structure while opening a path toward a more inclusive and stable democratic order.

Eereporter.com
Both figures have, in recent cycles, moved away from their former party homes, briefly converging within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and now gravitating toward the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Kwankwaso’s migration from the NNPP to the ADC was not merely symbolic; it signaled that the old political camps were no longer fit for purpose. As he put it, “We left the NNPP because of externally influenced legal challenges that made our stay perilous.”

Obi’s departure from the Labour Party to the ADC further consolidated what many hoped would become a formidable coalition. However, the ADC, rather than emerging as a stable opposition platform, became entangled in internal disputes, legal battles, and structural inconsistencies that many insiders now describe as unreliable. Explaining his exit, Obi noted: “My decision to depart from the ADC was not due to personal issues with the party leadership… but was driven by unresolved political conflicts and recurring legal and internal disputes that distracted the party from national issues.”

What we are witnessing is not indecision; it is strategic migration, a revolt against weak platforms and a determined search for a viable electoral vehicle. The ADC phase offered proof of concept, an early coalition impulse, but also exposed the limitations of platforms lacking internal cohesion. By contrast, the emerging NDC option presents itself as a more structured vehicle and one that promises clarity of leadership, a predictable primary process, and an institutional spine capable of sustaining a national campaign.

With this shift, a potential exodus of key members from the ADC appears imminent, further weakening a party already burdened by litigation over its leadership. Yet, the true engine of this moment is not party labels rather it is people. The fusion of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the Obidient Movement represents one of the most compelling political alignments in contemporary Nigeria.

Kwankwasiyya brings disciplined grassroots organization, particularly across northern constituencies, with a proven record of loyal and enduring mobilization. The Obidient Movement, by contrast, is youthful, decentralized, digitally savvy, and driven by a reformist ethos that prioritizes transparency, competence, and accountability.

Together, they offer a rare synthesis: structure meets spontaneity; regional strength meets national reach; experience meets aspiration. In electoral terms, this alignment has the potential to consolidate a broad alliance cutting across geography, class, and generation. In governance terms, it could nurture a culture that blends technocratic discipline with active citizen engagement. This is precisely the mix many analysts argue Nigeria needs to move from cyclical contestation to sustained development.

This is where the NDC’s proposition becomes pivotal. Beyond serving as a landing ground, the party is positioning itself as an enabling architecture. Its most significant offering to an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket is not merely access, but assurance: a transparent pathway to nomination, a commitment to internal democracy, and a platform anchored on policy coherence rather than factional bargaining.

In a political environment often defined by contentious primaries and legal disputes, such guarantees can be decisive. They reduce uncertainty, attract broader coalitions, and allow candidates to focus on articulating a national agenda rather than navigating intra-party conflict.

The potential implications for electoral success are considerable. A unified ticket anchored on these two leaders could redraw Nigeria’s political map by aligning northern organizational strength with southern reformist momentum. It could also recalibrate voter psychology, shifting the narrative from fragmented opposition to a credible alternative. In many democracies, it is this moment of perceived viability that transforms enthusiasm into votes.

Obi-Kwankwaso

More importantly, the NDC offers narrative clarity. In modern politics, perception is shaped not only by what a movement stands for, but by how clearly and consistently it communicates its purpose. By providing a structured environment, the party enables the OK Movement to maintain message discipline while articulating a vision centered on economic reform, governance efficiency, and national unity. This clarity could convert widespread goodwill into measurable electoral support.

Analytically, the implications of this convergence are significant. Nigerian elections are often decided at the intersection of structure and sentiment. The Obidient Movement brings the sentiment, an energized, emotionally invested base seeking change.

Kwankwasiyya contributes the structure, a disciplined network capable of translating enthusiasm into votes. Their alignment, under a stable platform, creates a political equation that could fundamentally alter electoral dynamics.

Globally, such alignments have often catalyzed both electoral success and political stability. In diverse democracies, coalitions that bridge ideological, regional, or generational divides have demonstrated an ability not only to win power but to govern with a broader mandate. Their strength lies in inclusivity: carrying multiple constituencies along, reducing post-election tensions, and fostering shared ownership of governance.

In Kenya, intense political rivalry gave way to alliance arrangements that restored stability, most notably the 2008 power-sharing framework between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga. In South Africa, the Government of National Unity in the 1990s brought former adversaries together, stabilizing a fragile transition and laying the foundation for enduring democratic institutions.

The lesson is clear: alliances are not easy, but when thoughtfully constructed, they can transform fragmentation into functionality. They convert competition into shared responsibility and create the conditions for stability.

For Nigeria, the Obi–Kwankwaso surge represents a similar possibility. It offers an opportunity to move from fragmented contestation to coordinated engagement, from narrow political calculations to a broader national vision, one grounded in competitive credibility rather than entrenched dominance.

No movement is without challenges. Alliance management demands discipline, compromise, and clear decision-making frameworks. Messaging must remain consistent, expectations must be managed, and internal cohesion must be actively maintained. Yet, these are the natural tests of any serious political enterprise.

What matters is the direction of travel and here, it is unmistakable: toward consolidation, credibility, and a reimagined political center.

The defection storm, therefore, should not be seen merely as instability. It is a manifestation of political evolution and a sign that actors are responding to the demands of a changing electorate. It reflects a growing insistence on platforms that can deliver not just participation, but performance.

In the final analysis, the Obi–Kwankwaso surge is more than a moment; it is a message. A message that Nigeria’s political space remains open to reinvention and that that alliances can be rebuilt, narratives reshaped, and power redefined.

As the storm gathers strength, one truth stands out: this is not simply about upending an existing order. It is about constructing a new one: more inclusive, more responsive, and more aligned with the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

And as the OK Movement weighs its next steps, the path forward becomes clearer. The future of Nigeria’s political contest will not be decided by rhetoric alone, but by the ability to align vision with structure, energy with organization, and aspiration with execution.

In that sense, the journey from the ADC to the NDC is not merely a change of address. it is a statement of intent: an intent to move from possibility to preparedness, from momentum to machinery and from movement to mandate.

News

Labour Party (LP) Releases 2027 Primaries Pimetable, Fixes Nomination Fees

Published

4 weeks ago

May 4, 2026

admin

Labour Party (LP) Releases 2027 Primaries Pimetable, Fixes Nomination Fees

The Labour Party has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 primary elections.

The Labour Party has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections, with concessions for women, people living with disabilities and youths.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Ken Asogwa, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, added that the timetable was released in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.

He also said its release complied with the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the timetable indicates that nomination forms for all elective offices will be available for sale from May 6 to 16.

Mr Asogwa said that the submission of completed forms would begin on May 17 and end on May 18.

“Screening of aspirants for the House of Assembly and Governorship election will be on May 20, while that of the National Assembly and the Presidential election will be on May 22,” he said.

He said the screening results would be published on May 23.

Eereporter.com
He added that appeals and petitions for House of Assembly and governorship aspirants would be heard on May 24, while those for National Assembly and presidential aspirants would be heard on May 25.

He further said that the final list of cleared aspirants would be published on May 26.

According to him, party primaries for House of Assembly and governorship positions will be held on May 27, while those for National Assembly and presidential positions will take place on May 29.

Mr Asogwa also announced the structured fees for nomination forms for various offices.

For the House of Assembly, the expression of interest form costs ₦1,000,000, while the nomination form costs ₦2,000,000, bringing the total to ₦3,000,000.

For the House of Representatives, the expression of interest form costs ₦1,500,000 and the nomination form ₦3,500,000, totalling ₦5,000,000. Senatorial aspirants are to pay ₦2,500,000 for the expression of interest form and ₦7,500,000 for the nomination form, for a total of ₦10,000,000.

Governorship aspirants will pay ₦5,000,000 for the expression of interest form and ₦20,000,000 for the nomination form, for a total of ₦25,000,000. For the presidential ticket, the expression of interest form costs ₦10,000,000, while the nomination form costs ₦40,000,000, bringing the total to ₦50,000,000.

He, however, said that the party’s National Working Committee decided to give Abia Governor Alex Otti the form free of charge.

The spokesman said that in line with the party’s motto of “Equal Opportunity and Social Justice’’, concessions had been approved for certain categories of aspirants.

Labour Party

“Female aspirants, people living with disabilities and youths aged 25 to 30 would only be required to pay for the expression of interest forms for all positions,’’ he said.

He also said that the LP was calling on all prospective aspirants for the 2027 elections who had not yet registered to take advantage of the ongoing membership registration.

He said registration was open from May 3 to midnight of May 4, ahead of the compilation and submission of the party’s membership register to INEC in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

News

ADC Release Timetable For 2026 Primary Elections, Urges Aspirants To Ensure Full Compliance With Party Constitution, Electoral Act

Published

4 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

admin

ADC Release Timetable For 2026 Primary Elections, Urges Aspirants To Ensure Full Compliance With Party Constitution, Electoral Act

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially released its timetable for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections, outlining the guidelines and requirements for nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The timetable reflects the party’s commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and full compliance with electoral guidelines.

As outlined in the timetable, the process is already underway, with the collection of application forms running from April 1 to May 4, 2026. The sale of nomination forms will take place from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while the submission of completed forms is scheduled for May 11 to May 13, 2026.

Eereporter.com
The party will conduct the screening of aspirants from May 14 to May 15, 2026, followed by the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, with the final list of cleared aspirants to be released on May 20, 2026.

The party’s primary elections will commence on May 21, 2026, with elections for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats holding simultaneously at the ward level. The Governorship primaries will take place on May 22, 2026, while the Presidential Primary is scheduled for May 25, 2026.

This will be followed by a meeting of the National Executive Committee on May 26, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 27, 2026, where final ratifications will be made.

ADC

In line with its commitment to inclusivity and broad participation, the ADC has also approved a structured fee regime for nomination forms across all elective positions. The presidential nomination form is pegged at N100 million, governorship at N50 million, Senate at N20 million, House of Representatives at N10 million, and State House of Assembly at N3 million.

To encourage wider participation, the party has introduced concessional rates, offering a 50 percent discount for youthsand a 25 percent discount for women and persons with disabilities.

The ADC calls on all members, stakeholders, and aspirants to adhere strictly to the outlined schedule and guidelines, as the ADC continues to position itself as the primary platform for Nigerians seeking competent, accountable, and people-focused leadership in 2027.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)