CTJ Accuses Reps’ Deputy Speaker, Kalu Of Using Tinubu’s Name to Undermine APC, Harass Judiciary, INEC

The Centre for Truth and Justice has accused the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu of undermining the All Progressives Congress (APC), in what described as a grave anti-party activity.

The Centre said Kalu is using the name and office of President Tinubu to undermine the integrity of the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in clear violation of the oath of allegiance to which he is sworn to be.

The group further accused Kalu of using his position to undermine the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by his unflinching support for a Labour Party (LP) member of the House of Representatives, Amaobi Ogah.

A press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, the national coordinator of the Centre, Obinna Francis, explained that Kalu is intimidating and harassing state institutions to achieve his anti-APC antics.

He said in a multi-party democracy such as Nigeria is practicing, anti-party is a gravious offence.

His words: “I want to state for the benefit of hindsight that Anti-party activity is any action taken by a member of a political party that is seen as detrimental to the party’s interests. This can include supporting candidates from other parties, campaigning against the party’s own candidates, or making public statements that are critical of the party. The foregoing is exactly what Kalu is doing with his open support for Amaobi Ogah.

“Kalu’s support for Ogah could be seen as a violation of the APC’s constitution, which requires members to be loyal to the party and to support its candidates. It could also be seen as a sign that Kalu is not committed to the APC’s platform or its values.”

He added that the APC must take “difficult yet necessary steps to reign in serial party betrayers like Kalu. Most disdainful is the fact that Kalu flaunts his guts on everybody’s faces in a manner that seems to suggest that he’s untouchable, the statement said.

He further explained that a disciplinary measure against Kalu is non negotiable because his activities is constituting huge embarrassment for the party.

Meanwhile, the group has also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to remain committed in discharging their constitutional mandate and must not allowed themselves to be intimidated by anyone in the course of discharging their duties.