Bende Constituent Writes Open Letter To Deputy Speaker Kalu, Alleges Intimidation, Demands Accountability

A public interest advocate and constituent of Bende Federal Constituency, Mr. Darlington Onyebuchi Agoha, has written an open letter to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, accusing him of using litigation and state security apparatus to intimidate dissenting voices in the constituency.

In the letter titled “Democracy Is Not A Dictatorship — A Call For Accountability And An End To Intimidation In Bende Federal Constituency”, Agoha said he was writing as a concerned constituent and a voice for the collective conscience of the area.

He stated that Bende is a democratic constituency and not a personal fiefdom, and expressed concern over what he described as a resort to relentless litigation and deployment of security forces to muzzle local voices.

“When a democratically elected representative uses the machinery of the state to suppress the fundamental human rights of the very citizens who voted him into office, he mirrors the infamous, tyrannical tendencies of Idi Amin,” the letter read in part.

Agoha maintained that demanding accountability for constituency projects and questioning the stewardship of public funds is a constitutional right and not a criminal offense.

“We voted for you to serve us, not to rule over us. The mandate you hold belongs to the people of Bende Federal Constituency. Therefore, demanding quality representation and asking how public funds are utilized is our civic obligation,” he said.

The writer further argued that the office of Deputy Speaker does not place its occupant above public scrutiny, noting that higher political authorities including the Speaker, Senate President and President have not turned their constituencies into what he called theatres of intimidation.

He warned that political power is transient and that the use of influence to humiliate constituents would erode political goodwill.

“Political power is a revolving door; it never resides permanently in the hands of any single individual. The influence, apparatus, and immunity you leverage today have an expiration date,” Agoha wrote.

He also called on residents of the 13 political wards in Bende Federal Constituency to unite and peacefully resist what he described as autocratic leadership, and urged a lawful, peaceful protest to demand transparent governance.

“Power belongs to the people, and the voice of Bende will no longer be silenced,” he added.

As at the time of filing this report, the office of the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is yet to respond to the open letter.