PRESS RELEASE
ATTRACTION OF ₦780M TO CHURCHES: BEN KALU's ONLY OFFENCE IS DELIVERING FOR HIS PEOPLE.
According to the renowned American political scientist Harold Lasswell, "Politics is about who gets what, when, and how." The essence of representation is the ability of elected leaders to attract opportunities, resources, and development to their constituencies.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State Chapter, is aware of the orchestrated campaign of calumny being directed at the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, by agents of the Abia State Government and the Labour Party over his role in attracting ₦780 million from the Federal Government's intervention for churches to Bende Federal Constituency.
The facts are straightforward and indisputable. The Federal Government made a budgetary provision of ₦8.05 billion in 2026 for faith-based organisations, with ₦1.91 billion earmarked for churches and ₦6.14 billion for mosques. Out of the allocation for churches, the Deputy Speaker, through exceptional leadership, influence, and legislative capacity, secured ₦780 million for churches in Bende Federal Constituency.
Instead of celebrating a son of Abia who has consistently demonstrated uncommon capacity in attracting federal projects and opportunities to his constituency, the Alex Otti administration and the Labour Party have resorted to their now familiar politics of propaganda, distortion, and misinformation. More astonishing is the fact that these attacks are being launched over funds that are yet to be released.
The APC challenges the Labour Party and all those attacking Benjamin Kalu to present superior facts instead of manufacturing false narratives. Governor Alex Otti has, more than any governor in the history of Abia State, visited churches for political reasons, campaign purposes and public engagements, making huge donations on every occasion. If those attacking Benjamin Kalu are genuinely concerned about public accountability, they should first explain to Ndi Abia, under what budgetary provisions those donations by Governor Otti are made and from which public funds they are financed.
You praise Governor Alex Otti, when he goes to churches to make donations for political advantage and suddenly it becomes a crime when Benjamin Kalu lawfully attracts a federally budgeted intervention to churches within his constituency. How else can we define "HYPOCRISY"
It is obvious that these attacks are politically motivated. They are not driven by patriotism, accountability, or genuine concern for the people of Bende. They are desperate attempts to diminish the towering achievements of a legislator whose record of performance has become the benchmark for effective representation across the nation.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has continued to distinguish himself as one of the most productive lawmakers in Nigeria. Beyond attracting critical federal institutions, infrastructure, and developmental projects to Abia State, he has consistently used the influence of his office to ensure that the people of Bende enjoy the dividends of democracy. His ability to secure this intervention further reinforces his reputation as a leader of uncommon capacity, strategic vision, and political dexterity who pays attention to the needs of his people.
The APC therefore calls on Ndi Bende to reject the politics of bitterness, envy, and falsehood being championed by the Labour Party. Politics should be about ideas, performance, and truth, not character assassination and deliberate misinformation.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu deserves appreciation, not vilification. He has once again demonstrated that effective representation is measured by results, not propaganda.
No amount of sponsored attacks, media blackmail, or orchestrated propaganda can diminish his outstanding record or erase the confidence that the people of Bende Federal Constituency have in him and we are extremely confident that if election is held in Bende federal constituency today, the APC will win 94% of the total votes cast and Benjamin Kalu will be reelected to continue the great works he is doing for the great people of Bende and Nigeria in general.
Politics must be played with dignity, integrity, and truth. Ultimately, performance will always triumph over propaganda.
Signed:
Uche Aguoru
Publicity Secretary
APC, Abia State
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