Benjamin Kalu Questions Obi Chants in Abia, Alleges Outsiders Were Mobilised as Political Tension Mounts
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has questioned the authenticity of the chants of “Obi! Obi!” that greeted his appeal for support for President Bola Tinubu at a cultural festival in Abia State, alleging that people from outside the community and non-party members were mobilised to disrupt the event.
The development has generated fresh political debate, particularly after reports that Kalu intends to investigate the organisers over the incident.
The controversy followed Saturday’s Item Okpi Cultural Festival in Bende Local Government Area, where Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, appealed to residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
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However, sections of the audience repeatedly chanted the name of Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, drowning out the Deputy Speaker’s appeal.
In a video of the incident that has since circulated widely, Kalu attempted to counter the chants with the Tinubu campaign song, “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand”. He also reminded the audience of federal government projects and development promises for the South-East.
But the chants continued, prompting him to question whether those making the noise were actually from the Item community.
APC Also Alleges Coordinated Disruption
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The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress subsequently alleged that the incident was an orchestrated attempt by political opponents to embarrass Tinubu and Kalu.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, accused alleged agents of the Abia State Government and factional Labour Party members of sponsoring the disruption.
However, the allegations of external mobilisation have not been independently established, and no publicly available evidence has conclusively demonstrated that the crowd’s reaction was organised by outsiders.
The Bigger Political Question
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The incident raises an important question about the interpretation of public political reactions, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
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While it would be premature to interpret the chants at one cultural gathering as a definitive reflection of the voting intentions of the entire Abia electorate, the reaction captured in the viral footage is nevertheless a significant political development.
Peter Obi’s political following in the South-East has remained a major factor in the region’s electoral conversations, dating back to his performance in the 2023 presidential election.
The attempt to explain the chants through allegations of imported supporters also raises questions about how political actors respond when public reactions do not align with their expectations.
If the organisers violated any established rules, an investigation could establish the facts. But allegations of imported supporters should equally be supported by verifiable evidence rather than assumptions.
Ultimately, political popularity cannot be established or dismissed through accusations. The ballot box, not competing narratives about who attended a cultural festival, will provide the more reliable measure of electoral support.
Headlineswave reports the incident based on circulating footage and published media accounts.
Allegations of sponsored mobilisation by the APC and claims concerning the organisers remain allegations and have not been independently verified.
