A video showing the moment Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, was embarrassed during a campaign at the Okpi festival ahead of the 2027 elections has surfaced on social media.
In the video, which has become a growing sensation, Abians were seen hailing the name of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate – Peter Obi – while Kalu was canvassing votes for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The people, who seemed to pay no heed to the federal lawmaker, started chanting: ‘Obi, Obi. Obi…’ as the deputy speaker addressed them in Igbo language.
The video has stirred reactions on social media:
Reacting, one user said: “They refused to allow Obi to erect billboards…. They forgot the best billboard is people’s hearts!!!! Obi will win come 2027.’’
Another commented: “This man has lost his polling unit.”
One added: “Imagine threatening your people with something as basic as Education!! A University is what you intend to hold over their heads????”
One said””You are using building a tertiary institution to negotiate with them into voting your preferred candidate????”
One added: “My Abia people, I am proud of you!!”
Meanwhile, Kalu recently said the people of the South East region have unanimously agreed to return President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027 to continue their good work.
Speaking during the flag-off of the APC Women’s Mobilization Campaign/South East Women Empowerment Programme by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Enugu on Saturday, the deputy Speaker said that, for now, the mandate of Ndi Igbo is to support the man that has been supporting them.
He recalled that President Tinubu during his time as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 appointed Igbo people in his government.
Kalu said: “This man has not hidden his love for Ndi Igbo. During his time as the governor of Lagos State, no Igbo property was taken. Nobody who was a business man in Lagos was arrested. Mr. Ben Akabueze was an Igbo man that he brought into his cabinet as Governor. It has never happened before. I hope we will reciprocate his kind gestures to Ndi Igbo. We must do so this time.”
Kalu, who doubles as the Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council 11 (South), recalled that after the civil war, the promise of the 3Rs of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration made to the people of Igbo land was not kept by successive governments until Tinubu became President.
He said President Tinubu has proven his love through concrete actions, including signing into law the South East Development Commission Bill which had lingered in the Parliament from year to year and from Assembly to Assembly.
“I also need to remind you that after the civil war, we waited for almost 60 years for a promise that was made to the people of Igbo land that was not kept. The 3Rs: Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Reintegration. Was the promise kept or not? It wasn’t kept.
“Government after government but they ignored us. Administration after administration, they ignored the Igbo and we were waiting and asking, when will the messiah come to save the Igbo? Then came a man who loves the Igbo from his heart.