The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has denied the allegation of disenfranchising the people of Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area in the February 25 National Assembly election.

The lawmaker said the allegation that he accused Agboji and Ameke communities in Abiriba of being sympathetic to the agitations of IPOB, making the voters there not to come out to exercise their civic right, was false and unfounded.

The former Abia State governor’s response followed the claim by a group, Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU), who said that  Kalu’s alleged comment was instrumental to why they did not vote on the election day over fear of being attacked.

ACIU in a paid newspaper advertorial claimed that Kalu’s alleged comment caused INEC not to deploy its officials to the community, which according to them, eventually disenfranchised some of their people.

However, the community in the paid advert severally contradicted itself as it at a point claimed that INEC officials did not show up for the conduct of the National Assembly election in the community, while at another point, said that the officials came, but at an inappropriate time.

“INEC did not show up till about 3:20p.m on that faithful day.

“When they eventually arrived, particularly in Agboji ward that has 10 polling units, they claimed they did not have adequate voting materials”, the advertorial in a national daily reads in part.

But responding to the allegation, Kalu’s media aide, Hon. Maduka Okoro, said that “there was no shadow of truth in the allegation by ACIU,” pointing out that “Sen. Kalu does not deploy INEC officials, hence cannot be accused of being responsible for the alleged disenfranchisement of the people of Abiriba.”

According to Okoro, the threat by IPOB to unleash mayhem largely affected the turn out of voters in the senatorial district, noting that his principal, Kalu never mentioned Abiriba with regards to membership of IPOB.

He said that the security agencies were on ground and documented that the apathy witnessed in some polling units in Abiriba was as a result of a threat by IPOB, a report corroborated by INEC.

“Kalu has consistently demonstrated that he is a leader for all. As a governor, he constructed majority of the roads in Abiriba and such roads are still there till date. He has never discriminated against any clan in Abia State.

“As a senator, he has equally upheld such a record which is clearly seen in his even distribution of democratic dividends. Our brothers in Abiriba are big beneficiaries of Sen. Kalu’s effective representation and this is anchored on his firm belief that we are all one.

“Even as a governor, the number of Abiriba sons and daughters who were appointed into strategic positions by Kalu is numerous. He has for ages demonstrated love, which he will continue to demonstrate.

“It is disappointing that ACIU, a socio-cultural organisation, has delved into politics instead of focusing on the development of its community and protection of its culture.

“Pointing accusing finger on Kalu for the perceived failure of INEC officials to arrive at the polling units in good time is uncharitable. Would Orji Kalu also be held responsible for late arrival of INEC officials in polling units in Delta, Nasarawa, Kogi, Sokoto and elsewhere in the country? This is not a case peculiar to Abia alone.

“The elections are over. It is time for governance and we must all join hands to move every inch of Abia North forward rather than engaging in politics of antagonism.

“The cord binding us together supersedes political interest. Even if ACIU does not like the face of Sen. Kalu, it must honour the bond of our brotherhood and respect our age-long togetherness. The political office is transient while our cord of love remains,” he stated.