It has come to the knowledge of discerning minds the misleading video on TikTok, targeted at demeaning the person of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu by one Mazi Obi Okoli, (not the popular Nollywood Legend but a coward who lives in the UK spewing bunkum in the name of whatever) or whatever his name is.
As uninteresting and as infantile as the same comic relief is, it will be worth it to puncture some outright falsehood circulated through the medium, stating inter alia:
1. Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu has remained a strong political character in the emerging renaissance of the South East, who has preached unity, cohesion and adhesion, promoting oneness and a positive sense of purpose among Ndi Igbo. Anything otherwise stated is outright hate, mischief and hypocrisy.
2. There was NEVER a time, in any guise or manner, where or when Benjamin Kalu said Governor Alex Otti, a founding member of the APC shall be displaced. Pray, show ANYTHING contrary to this assertion.
3. The struggle is in vain , very much an exercise in futility, to pitch Governor Alex Otti OFR, the performing Governor of Abia State, against Rt Hon Kalu, who has consistently applauded the performance and dexterity of Abia Governor.
4. It is Much Ado About Nothing to mischievously strive to misinterpreting political aggregation, a reality, glaring as it is, to woo, in acknowledgment of Governor Alex Otti’s performance, to join forces with the Party at the centre, to drive the integration of Ndi Igbo to the mainstream of national politics. Again, show where it is wrong to ask a brother and friend to join forces with one for purposes of cohesion.
5. The inroads made by Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot be overemphasized. It is beyond exaggerations and playing to the gallery to score any cheap political point. Even against personal comfort, Benjamin Kalu has shown capacity to that effect. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release is not done on TikTok. This Okoli man must not be a busybody. Real men have been frontal in their agitation for the release of this worthy Igbo son and the contributions of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu to that effect cannot be equated to his arrant rantings on TikTok. Mazi Obi Okoli, emela onwe gi onye ara, if you are not one!
6. Chief Obi should be direct enough to position himself for whatever he schemes for but must not bring the person of Benjamin Kalu as a buffer. It is not working.
7. The synergy between Governor Alex Otti and Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu cannot be dented by the schemings of an irrational mischief merchant. This too is an exercise in futility as the unity and sense of purpose of the duo cannot be punctured. The relationship between Governor Alex Otti and Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu has spanned for over 15 years. It is not a today matter, neither is it a fair weather thing. Chief Obi and his likes CANNOT strain same. It will not work!
8. What is the ‘arrogance’ in calling on Governor Alex Otti to join the ruling Party? Politicians lure. What is the difference, in view of same, with what Rt Hon Kalu did?
9. The said Chief Obi missed the point and must desist from painting the image, as unsuccessful as it is anyways, of Benjamin Kalu negatively. It will not also work. Better still, it shall backfire.
10. It is an altruism that power belongs to God. Pray. Where is Benjamin Kalu playing God? Politics is canvassing for support and marketing one’s political platform. What is playing God about that?
11. In good conscience, the video on TikTok is much Ado about absolutely NOTHING.
12. Mazi Obi Okoli, it is not enough to cowardly stay in your comfort zone, ‘yarning opata’. The real business is here at home, where Benjamin Kalu is aggregating and canvassing for support to see to the integration of the South East geo-political zone into the mainstream of national politics. Come down Nigeria and face the the heat. Do so if you are not a coward.
Henry Onyema Madubuike writes from Igbere.
