23rd August 2024, NewsOrient, News, Politics

The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, has denied granting an interview to Spin FM, a broadcast medium in Umuahia, Abia State, calling on Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, to leave his political party, the Labour Party, to All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of Abia State Governorship Election in 2027.

He said the viral video “may have been produced with some ulterior motives to tarnish” his image and “cause a dent” in his relationship with Governor Alex Otti.

Hon Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, at the House of Representatives in Abuja, said these in a statement from his media team, as part of his response to a viral video linked to Spin FM 95.3, Umuahia, in which he was reported as calling on Governor Otti to return to his former political party (APC), if he hopes to win the 2027 governorship in Abia.

Kalu’s statement, signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, his Chief Press Secretary, reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a video recording making the rounds on the social media wherein the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who also represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State is said to have called on the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Branded Spin FM 95.3, Umuahia, Abia State, the said video has no doubt, generated a flurry of reactions and a cacophony of feelings as we have been inundated with calls about it recently.

“We are shocked by the release of such video into the media because at no time did the Deputy Speaker grant Spin FM 95.3 any interview of such.

“We have contacted the station and they have equally admitted that the Deputy Speaker did not grant such an interview to them.

“One is compelled to believe that such piece of video may have been produced with some ulterior motives to tarnish the image of the Deputy Speaker and cause a dent in his relationship with Governor Alex Otti.

In line with the relevant laws of Nigeria, we advice the unsuspecting members of the public to desist from circulating such video as doing so may have its legal consequences.

“Meantime, our lawyers have been briefed to activate necessary legal actions with the aim of unraveling the circumstances surrounding the action of Spin FM and other digital platforms sharing it.

“While we are not saying that a national leader in the position of the Deputy Speaker cannot woo people into his political party, let it be copiously and emphatically restated and truthfully so, that we did not at any time grant such an interview to Spin FM 95.3 Umuahia, Abia State, a radio station belonging to party stalwart of an opposition party in Abia.

“We are persuaded to believe that this is the handiwork of political detractors and enemies to create disaffection where none exists, hurt the integrity of the Deputy Speaker and smear his image before the right thinking members of the public.

“Spin FM 95.3 Umuahia will be made to account for this in line with the extant laws, ethos of responsible and ethical journalism,” the Deputy Speaker said.

Photo Credit: 10th National Assembly

~ NewsOrient