Abia State Government Owes Abians Explanations On The ‘Resignation’ Of Professor Kalu As Secretary To Abia State Government. Part 2.
Sunday (Nkwo) 08-02-2026.
The Abia State Government that came into existence on 29th May, 2023, has been characterized by high-profile resignations in less than three years.
Among them, the first Commissioner for Science and Technology in this Administration, Mr Chima Oriaku fom Osisioma-Ngwa Local Government Area of the State, was alleged to have been forced to resign for asking if it was true that the State Government had claimed to have spent the sum of Two Billion and Six Hundred Million Naira, N2.6b, for the establishment of an Information, Communication and Technology Hub in his Ministry, without his knowledge, and without anywhere the ICT Hub could be located. The Man ‘resigned’!
A renowned Academic, Professor Monica Ironkwe, was the first Commissioner of Agriculture in the Labour Party Government of Abia State. Her abrupt resignation from Government in 2024, the same year Mr Chima Oriaku was compelled to resign for being inquisitive, left a stigma of lack of transparency on the State Government.
Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo was the first Commissioner of Health in Abia State Labour Party Government. The State Government first suspended her, and before one could say Jack Robinson, she had ‘resigned’.
The first Chief Press Secretary in that Government was Mr Kazie Uko. He ended up disastrously, as he was sacked and dismissed with ignominy. Wherever he is now, he must be painfully licking his wounds and cursing the day he came in contact with that Government. What a miserable way to destroy a Man!
On his appointment as Secretary to Abia State Government, SSG, about 30th May, 2023, Canada-based Intellectual and Chartered Accountant, Professor Kenneth Kalu, must have been elated to think he was coming home to have his intellect and experience bear on a position that could translate to altruistic prudent transparent service delivery to Abians. But to the contrary, he was alleged to have been confronted with opacity of transactions in running the affairs of Government.
It is widely alleged he was constantly subjected to signing documents he was not sure of their transparency. There is a strong allegation that he became very uncomfortable with transactions on Abia Airport project, particularly on ‘payment of compensations to land owners, real or fictitious’.
Allegedly, his discomfort and frustrations accumulated to such a disturbing extent that Members of his family concluded that asking him to give up his appointment was his best option before his good image and credibility became irretrivably marred. Hence, his resignation as SSG!
Equity Global Reporters Ltd strongly demands that allegations of lack of transparency and accountability that had probably forced Professor Kenneth Kalu to resign as Secretary to the Government of Abia State should not be left investigated. It is sheer deceit for the State Government to inform the people that Professor Kalu resigned because of family challenges. Let there be a thorough investigation, otherwise governance in Abia State would continue to be delusional.
Sir Don Ubani is a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, and Publisher of Equity Global Reporters Ltd.
