POLITICS
Group to Deputy Speaker: Do not Politic at the Expense of Peace, Stability in Abia State
A group, Abia Sustenance of Good Governance (ASGG) has cautioned the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu against playing politics at the expense of peace, stability and prosperity of the State.
Addressing a world press conference in Umuahia,alongside other members, the leader of the group Dannie Ubani, said the warning was necessary in view of recent political events in the State that could distract governance.
The group, which was apparently reacting to utterances credited to the Deputy Speaker, warned that such outbursts if not checked could pitch the State government against the federal government.
“Inciting a non-existent war of attrition between the governor of the state and our very dear President with the vain aim of leveraging on it to further selfish political ambitions is very unpatriotic, and would be stoutly resisted by Ndi Abia,” he said.
The group further warned against setting up the Governor against Abia people with ‘imaginary figures’ describing it as very cowardly and capable of igniting avoidable conflagration.
“A situation where supposed statesmen would deliberately fan the ambers of conflicts between the state government and the presidency in furtherance of their selfish political ambitions at the expense of the peace and stability, should be condemned, and is hereby condemned.”
The group called on all the political combatants to shield their swords in order not to derail the government, emphasising that politics should not be played at the expense of the peace and stability of the state.
“We are appealing to his conscience as a matter of patriotism, not to politic at the expense of the peace, stability and prosperity we are enjoying today. Of course, every politician is ambitious and every politician is entitled to his ambition. And what defines democracy is participatory election and competitive election.
“We are not saying that whatever ambition he has is invalid. But we are saying don’t set up the governor against the president with the ambition of leveraging on the fracas to launch your ambition.
“And at the same time, don’t pitch the Abia populace against the government by trumpeting malicious, unfounded and outrageous figures.”
Hon. Dannie Ubani also faulted the Deputy Speaker for saying that Abia State government is presently receiving ₦38 billion monthly, insisting that available figures put the average at ₦14 billion.
Some journalists at the Press conference
“We have been able to interrogate the assertion that Abia appropriates an average of 38 billion naira every other 28 days.
“From the statistical data available by FAAC, the total accruals to Abia State in the last FAAC update is 98 billion, 120 million naira only, which is a monthly average of 14 billion naira as an against the monthly 38 billion naira being touted by people who by virtue of their positions should know.”
He noted that Governor has won back public confidence through the implementation of programmes and policies that have catalysed to socioeconomic growth and cannot be justifiably said to be liable to financial malfeasance.