Growing dissatisfaction appears to be mounting among constituents of Abia North Senatorial District and Bende Federal Constituency, as residents have taken to social media to express frustration over what they describe as poor and uninspiring representation by their lawmakers , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
The criticism was triggered by the widely celebrated empowerment programme launched by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to mark her two years anniversary in the Senate. Many observers hailed the initiative as an example of effective representation, prompting comparisons with lawmakers from other regions.
One of the most circulated reactions came from a social media user, Alexis Egbe, who identified himself as an indigene of Ohafia. He questioned the visible impact of Senator Kalu’s representation despite being a second timer at the senate, contrasting it with the achievements of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan who had just been there only for two years.
“My people in Abia State, and particularly in Abia North, kindly tell me if we have a senator in our senatorial district. See this Senator Natasha and see empowerment at its best. My question again is: do we have a senator at all?” Egbe wrote.
Several others joined the online debate, arguing that despite Senator Kalu’s extensive political experience as ,a former governor, two-term senator, and one-time Chief Whip of the Senate, his constituency has little to show for it in terms of developmental projects or empowerment programmes except for schemes on how to dislodge a performing governor at the state in the name of partisan politics.
Similarly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, also came under fire. A commenter identified as Mhiz Osheiza accused him of focusing more on political ambition than constituency service.
“He’s too busy talking and dreaming of becoming governor instead of giving us good representation,” she wrote, using the term ‘cho -cho’ , a local expression meaning talkative or garrulous.
Egbe concluded his remarks with a warning to voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to prioritize performance over political loyalty.
“You that are seeing good representation and dividends, if you like, give your votes to darkness in 2027,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Senator Kalu nor Hon. Benjamin Kalu nor their supporters had publicly responded to the growing criticism from their constituents.
