Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has branded Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, a “kitchen slave”i accusing him of lacking the integrity to speak for the Igbo people.
The remarks follow a viral video where Kalu, a former Abia State governor, declared, “We don’t want this country to break. I love the country, I am a product of this country.”
Igboayaka, in a scathing response, questioned who Kalu was speaking for, challenging whether his stance reflects the views of his Abia North constituents.
Igboayaka argued that Kalu’s statement dismisses the aspirations of over 50 million Igbo youths advocating for Biafra or a separate Igbo nation.
He cited the non-violent movement led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which demands a referendum on Nigeria’s unity.
The OYC leader challenged Kalu to hold a constituency briefing in Abia North, proposing an “Option A4 vote” to gauge public sentiment on Nigeria’s unity.
Igboayaka vowed to renounce his Nigerian citizenship and go into exile if Kalu’s stance prevails, but warned that Kalu would face accountability if the vote favours dissolution.
He further accused Kalu of political sycophancy, alleging he seeks favour with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for personal gain.
The president questioned Kalu’s silence during the 2017 military operation “Python Dance” in Afaraukwu, Abia State, which reportedly killed over 100 civilians in an attempt to arrest Kanu.
Kalu’s eight-year tenure as Abia governor was marred by corruption and reckless spending, Igboayaka claimed, referencing a 7.1 billion naira fraud case linked to the senator.
He accused Kalu of failing to engage with Abia North constituents since his controversial election to the Senate, allegedly facilitated by electoral irregularities.
The OYC leader drew historical parallels, likening Kalu to “kitchen slaves” during the transatlantic slave trade who served colonial masters and opposed liberation efforts.
He suggested Kalu’s support for Nigeria’s unity aligns him with northern political elites and foreign interests.
In 2020, Igboayaka led an OYC delegation to visit Kalu at Kuje Prison, where he was detained over fraud allegations.
Igboayaka claimed Kalu’s incarceration was partly due to his Igbo identity, urging him to champion Igbo causes. Kalu was released a month later but has since ignored OYC’s calls for an Igbo presidency, instead backing other political figures.
Kalu’s recent public support for Tinubu’s presidency, despite no formal candidacy announcement, was cited as further evidence of his “political slavery.”
He warned that such sycophancy would not elevate Igbo leaders, pointing to the failed presidential bid of Senator Rochas Okorocha.
