Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has expressed confidence in the ability of the judiciary to dispense justice in the suit challenging his qualification to contest for an elective office in the country. Kalu said on Friday that the suit instituted by his main opponent in the party’s primary for the House of Representatives elections, Okechukwu Ezeala, was only a calculated attempt to smear his image.
Ezeala, in a suit at an Umuahia High Court, presided over by Justice O.A. Chijioke asked the court to sack Kalu over alleged certificate forgery and impersonation because he did not do a legal name change before contesting the election.
He had initially filed the said suit at an Abuja High Court in the year 2000, but was rejected.
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State in the 9th House of Representatives vowed not to be distracted from his determination to provide democracy dividends for his constituents.
Other defendants in the suit No. HU/265/2020, included the ruling APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Speaker, House of Representatives.
In the originating summons, Ezeala alleged that Kalu’s primary and secondary school certificates had irregularities, saying the surnames on his certificates are completely different from his current names.
While reacting to the suit, Kalu said: “May be the name Rep. Benjamin Kalu is so sparkling clean for a politician who is rising. So, this is their way of attempting to sprinkle imaginary dents on my image. As a lawyer, I should have confidence in our judicial system and they have not failed me previously. They won’t start now.
“It is sub-judicial to begin to discuss the content of the matter in detail. Let’s be patient and allow the court to take a position on this.
“Again, my constituents, friends, and family should not worry it will end in praise for what God cannot do does not exist. They shall gather and take counsel but it shall not stand, only the counsel of God shall stand.
“I have my eyes on the ball, it does not matter how threatened they are. I am going for the goal and not perturbed at all. They know this, that’s why they are paying all media platforms to discuss my simple change of name as illegal. The last time I checked, it is within my right to choose on how to be addressed and to document it legally as prescribed by law. So, because I changed my surname, it makes my certificates forged certificates. Quite laughable.
“They are paying for my free publicity at least I am trending for free. In politics, no publicity is a bad one. I am ready for them. They are yet to see quality representation for my people which offends their senses. I have no apologies. “They should throw more dirts on me. I was prepared for this and it took 17 years in the kitchen. If you hate the heat then leave the kitchen. I signed for this and they should keep bringing it on. Bende must be great”, the Reps’ spokesman said.
Source: The Nation
