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OPINION: Kalu’s Brazen Assault and Calculated Torpedo To Undermine South East Governors’ Peace Effort

Published

2 years ago

December 30, 2023

Onwuzuruike Uchenna

By Onwuzuruike Uchenna

Abia at the eve of the year, braced another spectacle of self-aggrandizement yesterday. A local figure, Benjamin Kalu, cloaked in the pretense of gratitude, took the stage, not to offer thanks as he wanted people to believe, but to spin the yarn of his imagined peacekeeping exploits. His thirst for undeserved accolades fueled this charade.

When the fragile threads of security hang by a thread in a society desperately craving peace, deception can be a weapon more lethal than any blade. The South East is under a calculated assault, not from guns and blades, but from a weapon far more insidious: deception.

A wolf draped in the sheep’s clothing of a peacemaker, a figure imposing himself on the people as the new leader of the region, aiming to torpedo the genuine efforts of established leaders and derail the region’s progress towards true tranquility, is at it again!

Abians must remain vigilant, lest they fall prey to those who would exploit their yearning for stability and plunge the entire South East region further into the abyss of confusion.

The clock ticks down on the year, and a worrying trend has emerged with individuals like Benjamin Kalu, under a newly formed charade- Peace in South East Project, targeted to undermine the genuine efforts of leaders and threatening to potentially stall the region’s progress towards true tranquility.

Kalu, an individual whose political tactics have previously involved maneuvering and betrayal, has now chosen a different path. This time, he has entered the delicate landscape of security concerns in the Southeast, seemingly aiming to capitalize on the situation for personal gain and garner undeserved sympathy.

We must “pray and watch”!

His actions haven’t just cast a cold shoulder on regional leaders, many of whom, I suspect, are caught in a web of personal pressures that force them to acquiesce. Meanwhile, within the region, dedicated individuals toil day and night to stitch the fragments of a shattered peace back together, all while he remains oblivious.

Kalu now projects himself as the sole navigator towards stability, preying effortlessly to sway hearts through persuasive rhetoric, while inadvertently diverting attention from the already established channels of reconciliation recently adopted by the five governors of the South East region.

Each time this man finds a way to circumvent a genuine process, he does it without recourse, typical in a clever and surreptitious way.

In light of the sensitive nature of this topic, I believe it is crucial to preface my remarks with a reminder. This article originates from a place of deep empathy and unwavering devotion to my people, those who have borne the brunt of decades of social and political injustice at the hands of their own leaders like Kalu; citizens, whose lives have been marked by chronic social and political disadvantage perpetrated by those entrusted with their well-being.

In September 2023, a pivotal two-day summit titled “SOUTH EAST SUMMIT ON SECURITY AND ECONOMY” with the theme: SOUTH EAST BEYOND 2023: TIME TO RESET” gathered key figures from the region, including five governors and prominent individuals, to address pressing issues of security and economic development.

Notably absent from this pivotal gathering was Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a significant figure in the region. His failure to attend, or even send a representative, raised eyebrows and sparked questions about his commitment to tackling the challenges facing the South East.

This absence stood in stark contrast to the participation of other high-profile leaders, such as Governor Hope Uzodima, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, and his counterparts from Anambra, Prof Charles Soludo, Alex Otti of Abia State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Governor Francis of Ebonyi State. Their presence underscored the gravity of the summit’s theme and their dedication to finding solutions. Kalu’s absence, on the other hand, left an unsettling void, prompting speculation about his motives and dedication to the region’s well-being.

The summit in Owerri, Imo State, served as a vital platform for brainstorming strategies to revitalize the South East beyond 2023. The conspicuous lack of Kalu’s input, especially given his prominent position, cast a shadow of doubt on his commitment to the region’s progress and collaborative efforts to overcome security and economic hurdles.

The recent snub by Benjamin Kalu of a peace summit organised by regional leaders raises serious questions about his commitment to unity and progress in the South East. His absence, despite being in the country during the event, casts a shadow over his own self-proclaimed peace summit.

One wonders if Kalu harbors ulterior motives. Could he be deliberately sabotaging the genuine efforts of established leaders to bring peace and stability to the region? Is he, perhaps, driven by personal political ambitions, seeking to supplant the existing leadership?

Onwuzuruike Uchenna writes from Orsu LGA of Imo State

Related Topics:#opinion Onwuzuruike Uchenna

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Varsity Expels 57 Students Over Exam Malpractice

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19 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

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The Senate of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, has approved the expulsion of about 57 students over involvement in various forms of examination malpractice.

This is contained in a statement by the management, and issued in Katsina on Saturday, by Hajiya Fatima Sanda, the institution’s Head of Information and Protocol.

According to the statement, the decision came during the Senate’s 125th Regular Meeting, following recommendations from the University Central Examination Misconduct Committee.

It added that before taking the decision, the committee had earlier investigated infractions across multiple faculties.

The statement further revealed that five other students were rusticated for two semesters (2024/2025 session), with their affected examination papers cancelled.

The statement also disclosed that two others received official written warnings, now permanently on their academic records.

In the statement, UMYU emphasised that the measures reflect its zero-tolerance policy for examination misconduct, adding that it was intended to serve as a deterrent to others.

“UMYU remains committed to preserving the sanctity of its academic standards and will not hesitate to sanction any act that undermines the integrity of its examinations.

“Students have been urged to adhere strictly to academic rules and avoid any form of malpractice, as future violations will be met with equally strict consequences,” the statement said.

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Group Protests Alleged Sale Of Workers’ Housing Estate To NAF

Published

9 hours ago

August 2, 2025

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Bauchi State Concerned Citizens group has raised alarm over the alleged sale of 270 newly built housing units along Ningi-Kano Road, Bauchi, to the Nigerian Air Force.

Addressing the press, the group’s chairman, Comrade Aliyu Ladan, on Friday described the development as “an unfortunate and illegitimate move” that threatens the rights and welfare of Bauchi residents.

“The houses were part of a 1,000-unit project initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to alleviate accommodation problems for workers.”

He said the units had already been allocated to residents through a due process managed by the facility manager.

Ladan accused the Federal Ministry of Housing of negotiating with the Air Force to take over the estate, a move he described as “a complete violation of residents’ fundamental rights.”

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the decision could lead to unrest.

The group demanded the cancellation of the alleged sale and urged the government to protect residents’ rights.

Responding, State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Architect Nwamadu Herbert, stated that although negotiations are ongoing, no transfer has been made as directives are awaited from the Ministry’s headquarters.

He dismissed the protesters as “illegal occupants,” clarifying that the houses remain under the ministry’s custody pending directives from headquarters.

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Bauchi Gov To Corps Members: Advocate For National Development, Transformation

Published

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August 2, 2025

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Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has called on all the Narional Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to always advocate for national development and transformation in the country.

Mohammed, who made the call during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 corps members on Friday, also urged them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieve the scheme’s objective of national unity and development.

Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, Head of Civil Service in the state, the governor assured the corps members that the people of the state appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the NYSC scheme.

“Therefore, we have decided to collaborate with you in every possible way to ensure the success of the Scheme in the State.

“To this end, we have completed the renovation of corps members’ hostels and built a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.

“This is the first phase of the project and the second phase, which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities.

“I can assure you that my government would continue to do anything within the limit of our resources to make the corps members and staff comfortable during orientation exercises in the camp,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state Coordinator of NYSC reminded the corps members that life in camp is highly regimented, adding that participants were expected to adhere to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies.

According to him, 1,107 corps members comprising 608 males and 499 females had been successfully registered before the commencement of the swearing in ceremony out of the 1,700 corps members posted to the state.

He commended the state governor for his unwavering commitment to the realisation of the NYSC objectives in the state.

“I am indeed happy for the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels at the NYSC permanent orientation camp and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall.

“There can be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care than what we are seeing in the camp now.

“It is now clear for all to see that His Excellency is a great lover of the youths and particularly the corps members,” he said.