A coalition of civil society organisations, Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria (CCSN), has condemned those campaigning against the aspiration of spokesman of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for the speakership of the 10th Assembly, describing their action “as unfortunate and a poor judgement of the real issues.”
The group’s lead convener and national coordinator, Comrade Archie Isong, in a statement on Friday, noted that the genuine and patriotic interest of Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State in the race for speakership “has unbalanced a certain segment and rather than to focus on the core issues of competence, equity, balance, loyalty and leadership, have descended into the abyss of mudslinging and bolekaje politics.”
Specifically naming the Northern Patriots Front, South West Professionals and Coalition of Arewa Group as some of those involved, the coalition noted that “the race for the Speakership of the 10th House of Reps is serious business and not some monkey business as exhibited by a motley of rag-tag, unknown and unregistered Coalition.”
“We acknowledge that talk is cheap and parrots like to chatter to be noticed. If not, how can one explain without any empirical evidence the allegation that Hon Kalu sold the party out. The question that begs is to whom and for what? These two questions if not satisfactorily answered are enough grounds for libel because he who asserts must prove.
“It is instructive that context be given to the Hon. Kalu matrix in the build-up to the February polls. Owing to the obvious inevitability of his return to office, his campaign offices and materials were targeted so much so that over 100 bullets were counted when some of it were attacked. It is also on record that he was undeterred and campaigned vigorously for the APC and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as presidential candidate in Abia state.”
Defending Kalu on the issues bent pushed by the alleged campaigners, he said “we unequivocally demand a retraction of the libelous statement and urge Nigerians of good standing to ignore rumour peddlers and know that a virile, strong and representative House leadership is in supporting Hon. Benjamin Kalu as the next Speaker of the House.”
