By Paul Alfred Nwangwa I Monday, December 16, 2024
ABIA, Nigeria – It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is once again seeking undue recognition for a monumental project that he had little or no hand in materializing—the proposed Abia Airport.
His recent claims of “facilitating” the Federal Government’s involvement in the project and his attempt to piggyback on Governor Alex Otti’s success are blatant attempts to rewrite history and mislead the public.
OTTI’S VISIONARY LEADERSHIP STANDS TALL
Contrary to Kalu’s desperate narrative, the facts speak for themselves:
- GOVERNOR OTTI’S READINESS FOR THE PROJECT: During the Federal aviation team’s visit, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, it was Governor Otti who demonstrated proactive leadership. The team lauded the Governor’s hands-on approach, his ability to quickly identify suitable land for the airport, and his commitment to fast-tracking the project. Nowhere in their acknowledgments was Kalu’s name mentioned.
- FROM AIRSTRIP TO FULL-FLEDGED AIRPORT: The Federal Government’s initial plan was to construct an airstrip, not an airport. It was Governor Otti’s intervention and negotiation with the Federal Government that ensured the upgrade to a full-fledged airport. Kalu’s claims of “sharing the idea” with the Governor are laughable, as the entire blueprint for the airport’s development reflects Otti’s visionary leadership and pragmatic planning.
- PARTNERSHIP WITH ACCESS BANK: Governor Otti, leveraging his extensive financial expertise, brought Access Bank into the fold to ensure that liquidity challenges would not stall the project. Access Bank, having successfully financed the Ogun State airport, stands as a strategic partner in the Abia project—a move initiated solely by the Governor. Kalu’s absence in these discussions further highlights his irrelevance in the project’s development.
KALU’S MISLEADING CLAIMS EXPOSED
Kalu’s recent remarks, where he commended President Bola Tinubu and attempted to position himself as the facilitator of the Abia Airport project, are nothing but a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant. While Kalu now claims to have “attracted” the project, it is worth noting that the Federal aviation team openly acknowledged Governor Otti’s leadership as the driving force behind its actualization.
Even more laughable is Kalu’s assertion of “synergy” between the Federal and State Governments. The truth is that Kalu has been a passive observer, showing no tangible contributions to the project beyond hollow rhetoric. His purported “invitation” to the groundbreaking ceremony by Governor Otti reeks of opportunism, especially since he conveniently excused himself from attending due to “budget presentations.”
WHY IS KALU SPEAKING NOW?
Kalu’s sudden interest in the Abia Airport project is suspiciously timed. It comes after Governor Otti’s December media briefing, where the Governor clarified the state’s role in upgrading the project from an airstrip to a full-fledged airport. Could it be that Kalu is envious of Otti’s growing reputation as a transformative leader? Or is this yet another attempt to claim credit for achievements he had no role in?
GOVERNOR OTTI: A LEADER ABIANS CAN TRUST
Governor Alex Otti’s achievements continue to overshadow the gimmicks of politicians like Benjamin Kalu. His commitment to delivering the Abia Airport in record time is a testament to his leadership. As he assured, “We are in a hurry” to deliver this project, and with Otti at the helm, Abians can rest assured that development is no longer a pipe dream but a reality.
Kalu’s political theatrics do little to detract from the Governor’s achievements. Instead of attempting to claim undeserved credit, Kalu should focus on fulfilling his legislative duties and delivering meaningful projects to his Bende Federal Constituency—a region still yearning for the kind of transformational leadership Governor Otti embodies.
The Abia Airport project is not Kalu’s legacy; it is Governor Alex Otti’s. His deliberate, focused, and innovative approach to governance has shown Abians what true leadership looks like.
The people of Abia deserve facts, not fabricated narratives, and Otti’s track record speaks louder than Kalu’s empty words.
