LP Chieftain Oluchi Oparah Berates Orji Kalu Over Attacks On Abia Governor
Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has again come under fire over his recent comments questioning the approach and priorities of the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti.
Kalu, in an attempt to justify his open campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027, had dragged Governor Otti into the conversation, a move described as unnecessary and self–serving.
Reacting to the comments, former National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Mrs Oluchi Oparah, said Senator Kalu’s statements amounted to “political eye-service” and had nothing to do with genuine concern for good governance or the welfare of Abia people.
She maintained that while the senator was free to support any presidential candidate of his choice, such support did not require using the name of a performing governor to stoke controversy or score cheap political points.
“Senator Orji Kalu is at liberty to support President Tinubu or any other politician, but he should do so quietly and responsibly,” Oparah said.
“There is no basis to drag Governor Alex Otti into unrelated presidential permutations just to gain attention.” According to her, politics in Nigeria has moved beyond blind party loyalty, as Nigerians are now more concerned about performance, impact and quality of leadership than mere party labels.
She noted that claims about the All Progressives Congress (APC) gaining ground across the country do not automatically translate to electoral victory at a time when many citizens are contending with insecurity, economic hardship and declining living standards under the current federal government.
Oparah advised Senator Kalu to focus his energy on his legislative responsibilities rather than “engaging in political noise” or attempting to antagonise a governor who is clearly focused on delivering dividends of democracy to his people.“ At a time when insecurity is threatening lives and livelihoods across the country, what Abia North and Nigeria need from Senator Kalu is quality representation at the Senate, sponsoring bills, pushing motions and attracting projects, not needless attacks on a working governor,” she stressed.
She described as “ironic and unfortunate” that a former governor whose eight-year tenure in Abia State is largely remembered for poor infrastructure and lack of visible, people-oriented development now presents himself as a lecturer on governance and development.“ If there is anyone who should exercise restraint when issues of Abia’s development are being discussed, it is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” Oparah said.
“His years in office as governor are still fresh in the minds of Abians and are widely recalled as a period of missed opportunities and arrested development.” Oparah added that, having failed to deliver tangible development as governor, Senator Kalu should approach public discourse with humility and use his current position to redeem his image by working for meaningful legislative impact and constituency development in Abia North.
She contrasted Kalu’s record with what she described as the “visible and unprecedented” performance of Governor Otti in less than three years in office.“ Since assuming office, Governor Alex Otti has embarked on massive infrastructural renewal across Abia. Long-abandoned roads are being reopened and reconstructed, public institutions are being restored and fiscal discipline is being enforced,” she said.
“For the first time since 1999, Abians are experiencing a style of governance that inspires confidence, joy and a sense of collective renewal.” Oparah therefore advised Senator Kalu to desist from what she called “politics of bitterness, self-pity and distraction” and stop using Governor Otti’s name for political manoeuvring in the build-up to 2027.“
“Supporting a presidential candidate should not become a tool for undermining a sitting governor who is clearly committed to the welfare and development of his people,” she maintained.
She expressed disappointment that instead of using his current position to “recover the lost years of his governorship” by working tirelessly for his constituents, Senator Kalu appears more interested in attacking a governor whose achievements, she said, are already visible to residents and visitors alike.“ Senator Kalu should allow Governor Otti to continue the work of rebuilding Abia State.
The current trajectory of Abia represents a historic turning point in leadership and governance and should not be derailed by individuals seeking attention or relevance through confrontational politics,” Oparah stated.
She urged all past and present elected officials from the state to put the interest of the people above personal or party considerations and to support efforts aimed at consolidating the gains recorded by the present administration.“
Abia is witnessing unprecedented development and responsible leadership. This is not the time to pull the state backwards with unnecessary quarrels and divisive politics. It is time for service, cooperation and genuine commitment to the people,” she added.
