Abia Group Battles Deputy Speaker Over Campaign Song

The Abia Patriots (TAP) has expressed disgust over a video of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu trending online, where Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is seen comically entertaining an audience with a supposed campaign song, saying the song is laced with “rebellious falsehoods” against the person and office of the Executive Governor of Abia State.

In a statement on Monday, signed by its Secretary General Mazi Adindu Madumere, the group described the song as “deeply troubling”, expressing their disappointment that according to them, “the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has chosen to convert our political space into a circus of theatrics and buffoonery”.

“We find it deeply troubling that rather than engage in robust, issue based opposition that advances governance, the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has chosen to convert our political space into a circus of theatrics and buffoonery. This latest episode of public jesting, name calling and contrived entertainment is a new low, even by the standards of those who have long substituted ideas with drama”.

“Politics is a serious enterprise. It is the vehicle through which societies are built, lives are improved and futures are secured. To reduce it to skits, slander and social media comedy is to insult the intelligence of Abians and to mock the sacrifices of those who laboured for the rebirth of our state”.

“We lampoon this shameful resort to laughable politics. Abia cannot be governed by punchlines. Our schools, hospitals, roads and economy will not be fixed by campaign jingles built on lies. A political party that aspires to lead must demonstrate capacity for policy, not proficiency in propaganda set to music”.

“The Abia Patriots hereby condemns, in the strongest terms, this penchant for theatrical distraction. It is a hallmark of brain drained politics practiced by actors who are bereft of ideas and bankrupt of vision. When substance is absent, spectacle becomes the substitute”.

“We therefore alert Ndi Abia to the grave danger of returning to the old, dirty politics of character assassination and public entertainment. That era kept our state in chains for years. The same script is being rehearsed today by social media influencers dressed in the garb of politicians, hoping that Abians will trade progress for performance”.

“We charge all Abians to remain vigilant. Do not be deceived by carefully choreographed comedies designed to distract you from the real issues of governance and development. Demand manifestos, not music. Demand facts, not farce. Demand leaders, not laugh tracks”.

“Abia has moved forward. We will not be dragged backward by those who have nothing to offer but calumny wrapped in entertainment”.