Politics
₦14.28bn Allegation: ‘You Know Nothing About Workings of Senate,’ LP Chieftain Tackles Bourdex
A chieftain of the Labour Party in Abia State, Chief Ebin Kalu Ebin, has criticised Chief Dr David Ogba Onuoha, popularly known as Bourdex, over his ₦14.28 billion constituency project accusation against the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Ebin questioned Bourdex’s understanding of the workings of the National Assembly, describing his interpretation of constituency project allocations as embarrassing for someone seeking election to the Senate in 2027.
“You know nothing about the workings of the Senate or the rudiments of lawmaking. It is shameful and embarrassing that someone aspiring to represent Abia North in the National Assembly cannot properly distinguish between the responsibilities of a legislator and those of the executive,” Ebin said.
The Labour Party chieftain maintained that Bourdex had failed to distinguish between the constitutional responsibilities of a lawmaker and the duties of federal ministries, departments and agencies responsible for executing government projects.
He explained that senators are responsible for lawmaking, appropriation, representation and oversight, while procurement, contract awards and project execution are handled by the relevant government institutions.
According to Ebin, a senator does not personally receive constituency project allocations or act as the accounting officer responsible for executing the projects.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu does not have a procurement department in his office responsible for awarding federal contracts. He is not the accounting officer of the Ministry of Works or any other federal agency. These projects are captured in the national budget and implemented by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies. If Bourdex has evidence of wrongdoing, he should identify the specific projects, the amounts released and the agencies responsible instead of throwing figures around,” he stated.
He also questioned Bourdex’s proposed ₦2 billion revolving enterprise financing programme for youths and entrepreneurs in Abia North.
The Labour Party chieftain demanded an explanation of the source of the proposed funds, the financial institutions involved, the conditions for accessing the loans and the arrangements for repayment.
“Where is the ₦2 billion coming from? Has any bank or investor committed this money? Who will manage the fund, who will qualify for the loans and how will the money be recovered? These are serious questions that require serious answers. You cannot simply announce ₦2 billion and expect everyone to accept it without asking how the programme will work,” Ebin queried.
He further challenged Bourdex over his promises to transform agriculture and healthcare across Abia North, asking how the programmes would be financed and implemented.
Ebin maintained that although senators could facilitate interventions through legislation, budgetary provisions, oversight and partnerships, the direct administration of public healthcare and agricultural programmes remained primarily the responsibility of executive institutions.
He questioned whether Bourdex intended to seek election to the Senate to perform legislative duties or to undertake responsibilities ordinarily handled by the executive.
“Is Bourdex going to the Senate to make laws or to take over the responsibilities of the executive? He is talking about transforming agriculture and healthcare as though a senator personally runs the Ministry of Agriculture or the Ministry of Health. If he believes these sectors require urgent transformation, he should explain what he expects the executive to do and what he intends to achieve through legislation, appropriation and oversight,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain also asked how Bourdex’s proposed healthcare and agricultural programmes would complement the responsibilities of the Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti.
“Is Bourdex suggesting that the administration of Governor Alex Otti has failed to invest adequately in agriculture and healthcare? If that is his position, he should say so clearly. If it is not, he should explain how his proposals will complement the work of the state government rather than presenting executive responsibilities as though they belong exclusively to a senator,” Ebin added.
Ebin further challenged Bourdex to explain what he had achieved for farmers, youths and small business owners during his years in public life, particularly while serving as Transition Committee Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area.
“He has been around for years. What has he done for the farmers he is now promising to empower? What has he done for the youths he is promising ₦2 billion? Why must everything wait until he wants to become a senator? He had an opportunity to serve as caretaker chairman of Ohafia Local Government. Let him tell the people what he achieved in agriculture, healthcare, youth development and infrastructure during that period,” he said.
He called for a comprehensive account of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds received by Ohafia Local Government during Bourdex’s tenure, alongside the council’s expenditure records and completed projects.
Ebin said the same standard of financial accountability being demanded of Senator Kalu should apply to Bourdex’s period in executive office.
“Let us bring out the FAAC records. How much did Ohafia Local Government receive every month while Bourdex was chairman? What were the council’s statutory obligations? How much was available for capital expenditure, and which projects were executed? These are questions that can be answered with official documents. The same standard of accountability he demands of Senator Kalu should apply to his own stewardship,” he stated.
Ebin also raised the reported slapping incident involving an Ohafia Local Government civil servant, Kalu Elekwa, at the council secretariat.
The incident had attracted public complaints and demands for investigation, including from the Abia Human Rights Initiative. The account remains disputed and has not been established through a judicial finding.
The Labour Party chieftain stressed that public office demanded restraint, discipline and respect for citizens, maintaining that the Senate was not a boxing ring.
“The Senate is not a boxing ring. The reported incident involving an Ohafia civil servant deserves a proper explanation, and the facts should be established. Anyone seeking public office must understand that leadership requires patience, discipline and respect for the people, including those who disagree with you,” he said.
He called on Bourdex to provide verifiable financial records supporting his criticism of Kalu and to explain the funding and implementation arrangements behind his own development proposals.