A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Hon Okezie Usim, has sparked a new wave of debate by lashing out at critics of the Deputy Speaker’s confident claim that the APC will take over Abia come 2027.
In what seem like a fresh controversy, the APC chieftain said the Deputy Speaker has been vindicated, following a video of a press interview of the Labour Party Governorship candidate for Lagos State, Hon Gbadebo Rhodes- Vivour, wherein he boldly declared that he is prepared to take over power from the APC Governor in 2027.
Speaking with our Correspondent, Hon Usim who is the Acting APC chairman for Bende Local Government Area, asked the difference between the interview granted by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he said APC would take over power in Abia State and the interview granted in Umuahia by the Lagos LP governorship candidate, where he boldly declared to take over power from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu?
The APC chieftain added that only a hypocrite would praise Hon Rhodes-Vivour for his assertion, but launch an attack on Hon Ben Kalu for making similar predictions.
He said the attacks on the Number 6 citizen by LP urchins were unwarranted, as they clearly exposed the charade of the Labour Party government, how hostile, bittered and intolerant it could be.
“When Rhodes-Vivour expressed desire to defeat and take over power in Lagos State,which is APC strongest hold, nobody called for his head, neither did anyone accuse him of saying the abominable.
“I didn’t see APC Lagos State drag him on social media. No media attack was launched against him for merely expressing his desires for the Labour Party to take over Lagos Government house come May, 29th, 2027. Hell was not let loose on Rhodes -Vivour.
“However, Lagos APC and their supporters took it in good stride and completely ignored Rhodes-Vivour, because they understand that it is only based on performance and not social media propaganda or manipulation, and can aptly translate into winning for any party in Lagos State. They are sure their Governor doesn’t need social media to tell lies about his achievement. But on the contrary, the Abia State Labour Party supporters, are always at war with anyone who says he is coming for power in 2027.
“On this premise, it becomes troubling, archaic and anti-democratic for the Abia Labour party and their supporters to constantly fight unseen wars with anyone or group who expresses desire to take over from their LP Governor.
“Conversely, What is actually the sin of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in merely expressing his desires for his political party to replace the Governor in 2027? Why treat the two statements differently? When will the Labour Party purge itself of this herd mentality and accept that others also have their constitutional rights, to as well express themselves?
“Like they say, “What is good for the goose,is also good for the gander”. If Senator Rhodes -Vivour, would be praised for supporting the Labour Party to take over Lagos State Government House, why won’t Hon Benjamin Kalu’s fearless claim of APC’s imminent victory in Abia State be commended”,he asked?
However, Hon Okezie Usim highlighted that one of the major characteristics of a good leader and a calculative politician, is the ability to say first, what people would or might want to say in the future.
He added that Rt Hon Kalu is the face of the recent happening of politics in the South East region, having contributed massively to the positive repositioning of the aged long agony of Ndigbo. “He is respectful and responsible, yet does not fear to speak with boldness, without fear or favour, when the need rises”.
The APC stalwart, equally, praised the political sagacity of Hon Kalu, describing him as a force to reckon with, remarking that politics was not for the weak and therefore, should not be practiced with sentiments.
Meanwhile, he warned that any paid media attack on the Deputy Speaker, to demarket or troll him for simply marketing his party or exercising faith that his party would win the 2027 Abia gubernatorial election, would be met with fierce response, adding that Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu deserves encomium for being a beacon of hope for the South East region, through his quality and robust representation.
It could be recalled that recently, the social media space was agog over a trending video of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, making a fierce statement that his party, APC, would take over power from the Labour Party Governor in Abia, stressing that the present Governor of the state,would be the last the Labour Party would ever produce.
