The Igbo Mandate Movement has accused the Abia State Government of allegedly earmarking over N100 billion for a coordinated campaign to discredit the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
In a statement dated January 6 and signed by its Convener, Igboeli Arinze, the group claimed that the alleged plan was aimed at preventing Kalu from returning to the House of Representatives.
According to the group, its investigation revealed that the funds were designated for what it described as a “comprehensive demarketing campaign” against the Deputy Speaker, allegedly masterminded by a top official of the Abia State Government and to be executed in phases.
The statement alleged that the first and second phases of the purported campaign involve sustained attacks on Kalu across social media platforms, as well as sponsored reports in conventional media.
“These coordinated assaults seek to tarnish the impeccable reputation of a man who has served his people and Nigeria with distinction,” the group said.
It further alleged that subsequent phases would involve lobbying and intimidating traditional rulers in affected areas who may refuse to cooperate, while the final stage would allegedly include sponsoring violence to provoke Kalu’s supporters into retaliation.
According to the group, such violence would then be blamed on the Deputy Speaker to justify further actions against him.
The Igbo Mandate Movement questioned the rationale behind the alleged allocation of such a huge sum to target one individual, noting that the money could be used to address critical needs in the state, including infrastructure, security, healthcare and water supply.
“Why is such a humongous sum of money, which could transform the lives of Ndi Abia, being channelled toward fighting one single individual?” the statement queried.
Describing the alleged plot as “sinister, wicked and antithetical to the progress of our people,” the group warned those behind it to reconsider, insisting it would not remain silent while Kalu is undermined.
“No true son or daughter of Igbo land will fold their hands and watch as one of the best things to have emerged from Ala Igbo is rubbished by envy,” it added.
The group maintained that Kalu has represented his constituents creditably and brought honour to Igbo land through his leadership as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Any attempt to pull him down is an attempt to pull down the collective aspirations of Ndi Igbo,” the statement said.
The group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the international community to prevail on the Abia State Government to abandon what it described as a divisive agenda, stressing that it remains firmly behind Kalu and would resist any attempt to undermine his position and reputation.
