‘We share robust relationship’ — Ben Kalu denies working against Onyejeocha

Ben Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, says he shares a “robust” relationship with Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, minister of state for labour and productivity.

The deputy speaker was reacting to alleged anti-party activities levelled against him by a group known as the Progressive League of All Progressives Congress (APC).

While addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Usman Shuaibu, the group’s national coordinator, alleged that Kalu is working against Onyejeocha, calling for disciplinary action to be taken against the deputy speaker.

Shuaibu asked Abdullahi Ganduje, APC national chairman, to “immediately” call Kalu to order “before he destroys the party completely in Abia state”.

Kalu and Onyejeocha hail from Abia state in the nation’s South-east. There is a rumoured cold war between both politicians.

Onyejeocha lost her bid to return to the green chamber in the 2023 elections in February.

In a statement issued by Levinus Nwabughiogu, his chief press secretary, Kalu described the claim by the group as a “campaign of calumny”.

The deputy speaker said he “shares a healthy and robust relationship with Onyejeocha both as a sister and worthy partner” in the government of the ruling APC.

“Though she was a fellow congress member in the 9th national assembly with Kalu, for starters, except on issues of collective patrimony in Abia state or of national significance in APC or the national assembly, the deputy speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, does not share a direct political affinity with Onyejeocha to be engaged in a feudal struggle,” the statement reads.

“Both officials hail from different political constituencies and so, there is no basis for a political war at all.

“Kalu’s passion is to engender a new paradigm shift in political leadership especially as it affects the youth of this country.

“Besides, at the moment, Onyejeocha as a minister functions under the executive arm of government while Kalu is preoccupied with legislative duties at the national assembly.

“With these obvious distinctions, it then beats an imagination that Kalu from Bende federal constituency, unusually preoccupied with a plethora of national engagements, would effortlessly pick up a quarrel with his sister from Isukwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency.”

The deputy speaker said the “fact that Onyejeocha has not yet disassociated herself from the press conference” leaves a “huge worry”, with an “impression of trouble that is non-existent”.