Stakeholders in Arochukwu State Constituency of Abia State have begun the process of recalling their representative in the House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Okoro Kalu, over allegations of corruption and violent behaviour.
Kalu, who represents Arochukwu Constituency and also serves as Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, has recently been enmeshed in controversies described by constituents as “disgraceful and unbecoming of a legislator.”
He was accused of commissioning a non-functional borehole in Amaebem Ututu two weeks ago, and a week later allegedly engaged in a violent confrontation with another lawmaker over the sharing of funds reportedly disbursed by Governor Alex Otti — as first reported by Sahara Reporters.
Worried by these developments, stakeholders in the constituency met in Arochukwu on Tuesday, demanding Kalu’s resignation or face an immediate recall from the Assembly.
Speaking under the aegis of the Arochukwu Equity Forum, the group declared that “such a character is no longer fit to represent the good people of Arochukwu State Constituency in the Assembly.”
The Chairman of the forum, Chief Nicholas U. Kalu, and the Secretary, Hon. Lady Nnuona Okereke Izuogu, disclosed that the group has activated the recall process should the Majority Leader fail to resign within one month.
According to them, “the embarrassing conduct of our representative has brought shame to all of us. His ignoble behaviour is a stain on the integrity and decorum expected of a member of parliament.”
They lamented that since the scandal broke out, Hon. Uchenna Okoro Kalu has not apologised to the people of Ututu, whom he allegedly deceived by presenting a non-functional borehole as a completed constituency project after receiving full funding.
The group also criticised Kalu’s failure to address the allegations surrounding his physical altercation with a fellow lawmaker, describing his subsequent denial as “a sham and a poor attempt at damage control.”
Consultations, according to the forum, have already begun across all wards in Arochukwu Local Government Area for the collection of signatures — a prerequisite for triggering the recall process.
They further announced plans to petition anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations of financial impropriety levelled against the embattled Majority Leader.
