Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The immediate past speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has celebrated Rit. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, on his birthday.  Orji, in a statement signed by his media director, Ikechukwu Kelvin Okorie, described Kalu as a great friend and an exemplary lawmaker who has touched the lives of his people in significant ways. He said that Kalu is a legislator par excellence whose passion for rural development and sound representation has made him outstanding.  “This special day offers a moment to reflect on your remarkable service, dedication…

Imo State is firmly placed at the top of the labour hierarchy in Nigeria with a new wage ranking as the cost of living continues to shape the political discourse in 2026. From the data obtained by DrumAfricanews as compiled in April 2026 by a leading Nigerian financial media and data intelligence company, Nairamatics, Governor Hope Uzodimma has positioned the state as the best-paying sub-national entity for civil servants and medical professionals in Nigeria. As many states in Nigeria are still struggling to implement the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage Act signed in 2024, Imo State has more than doubled that…

Mr Peter Obi, presidential hopeful, and 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate has said that he left African Democratic Congress (ADC) because of endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building. He said that contrary to the insinuations out there, his decision to leave the ADC is not because the highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated him badly, nor because, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to him. Obi added that the same…

Elders from different autonomous communities in Bende Ward, Bende LGA of Abia State, have called on their traditional ruler, Eze Sir Anthony Okorochukwu, the Ohuhu IV of Bende Ancient Kingdom, to intervene in the growing political tension between their son, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu. In a strong show of unity and concern, the delegation of elders led by Chief Hon. Emmanuel Onwuchekwa, former Chairman of Bende LGA, paid a respectful visit to Eze Okorochukwu to formally present their concerns and report the matter, with the hope that all Ezes…

The South East APC Renewal Group has said that it has rejected Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu’s self-elevation as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, describing such claims from the senator as constitutionally baseless, politically mischievous, and an affront to the sensibilities of loyal party members across the state. In a statement made available to DrumAfricanews by the group’s spokesperson, Comrade Jerry Okwu, the APC group said that OUK’s insinuation that a meeting with President Bola Tinubu conferred upon him any formal leadership role within the Abia APC is not only a misrepresentation of facts but also a…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Saturday, 2nd May 2026, was presented with Expression of Interest and Governorship Nomination Forms by the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from Abia State.  Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to Kalu, in a release made available to DrumAfricanews, said that shortly after receiving the forms, Kalu assured the stakeholders that the APC would deliver victory across the board.  Kalu equally expressed strong optimism that the APC will win the Abia State governorship and sweep the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly seats in the 2027 general elections.…

Dr. Ezinne Kalu, wife to Rit. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has debunked an online posts credited to her, where she threatened to expose her husband’s alleged lifestyle.  The post which was made on a Facebook handle titled “Team OUK” dubiously quoted Dr Kalu to have said, “I am ashamed to have found myself in your life. You are a terrible soul. Wicked, deceitful, a selfish crook and liar.  “You are nothing but a heartless betrayer who is bent on betraying everyone around you. If you could openly lie to yourself about those who made…

Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has affirmed the commitment of the green chamber to advancing legislative initiatives that protect the welfare, safety, and economic security of workers across the country. Kalu, who paid glowing tribute to Nigerian workers as the nation marks Workers’ Day on 1st May 2026, lauded their dedication, hard work, and resilience in driving the country’s growth. Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, said that in a goodwill message today, he described Nigerian workers as the backbone of national progress, noting that their daily sacrifices have continued to…

…urges completion of reconstruction exercise at Ekeoha Shopping Plaza The President-General of the Abia State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, has expressed concern over the delay in the completion and delivery of the first phase of the remodelling and reconstruction efforts at the Ekeoha Shopping Plaza, Aba. This is as he lauded the high level of enthusiasm so far shown by traders in registering and obtaining their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and National Identification Number (NIN). Chief Udeigbo, who spoke on Thursday, April 30, 2026, when he led executive committee members of ASMATA on a working tour…

The Director-General of the Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM), Hon. Emma Trumps Eke, has called for the immediate reversal of the decision by the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone its governorship ticket to the Abia Central Senatorial District. Eke, while reacting, expressed shock and deep disappointment over the decision and described the move as hasty, ill-timed, and lacking broad consultation with key stakeholders across the three senatorial districts. DrumAfricanews reports that Kalu, who is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia North Senatorial District, was seen…