A prominent socio-political organization, the Igbo Mandate Movement Group (IMMG), has leveled serious allegations against the Abia state government. The group claims the government is orchestrating a costly campaign to undermine the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and jeopardize his re-election prospects in the 2027 elections.
Details of the Alleged N1 Billion Demarketing Plot
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the convener of the IMMG, Igboeli Arinze, asserted that their investigations uncovered a designated fund of over N1 billion for a comprehensive campaign against Deputy Speaker Kalu. Arinze described the project as "shameful" and alleged it is being masterminded by a top official within the state government, executed in carefully calculated phases.
The group detailed that the first two phases are already active. These involve a systematic effort to tarnish Kalu's reputation on social media platforms, coupled with sponsored attacks in traditional media outlets. "These coordinated assaults seek to tarnish the impeccable reputation of a man who has served his people and Nigeria with distinction," Arinze stated.
Phases Involving Traditional Rulers and Potential Violence
The IMMG further claims to possess credible intelligence about the subsequent stages of the alleged plot. The third phase is said to involve lobbying traditional rulers in the affected zones, using threats and intimidation against those who refuse to cooperate.
Most alarmingly, the group alleges a final phase designed to sponsor organized violence. This violence would aim to provoke retaliation from Kalu's supporters, after which the state government would swiftly accuse the Deputy Speaker of orchestrating the crisis to justify further actions against him.
Group Condemns Plot and Praises Kalu's Service
The Igbo Mandate Movement has strongly condemned the alleged actions, labeling them as "sinister, wicked, and antithetical to the progress of our people." They questioned the rationale behind channeling such a significant sum—which could transform lives through infrastructure, healthcare, and security projects—toward targeting a single individual.
In defense of Benjamin Kalu, the group praised him as one of the finest leaders to emerge from Igbo land in recent times, placing him in the lineage of figures like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Alex Ekwueme. They argued that Kalu has brought honor to the region through his leadership and that any attempt to pull him down is an attack on the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.
The IMMG has issued a warning to those behind the alleged conspiracy and called on traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society, and the international community to intervene. They urged the Abia state government to abandon what they term a "wasteful and divisive project," affirming their unwavering support for the Deputy Speaker.
