Constituents demand NDLEA Drug test for Abia Assembly Majority Leader after alleged brawl
A political pressure group, the Arochukwu Democratic Alliance said it has petitioned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), urging it to compel the Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Okoro Kalu, to undergo a drug test.
The demand follows a recent incident where Hon. Kalu, who represents the Arochukwu State Constituency, was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a colleague, resulting in a “grievous injury” to the other lawmaker.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Thursday, representatives of the Arochukwu Democratic Alliance stated that the alleged brawl was not an isolated event but part of a “consistent pattern of behaviour” displayed by the Majority Leader.
Mazi Nnamdi Okoronkwo, Chairman of the group, alleged that reports suggest Hon. Kalu has been exhibiting conduct inconsistent with his high office.
“His colleagues at the Assembly are trying to cover for him, but privately, they have expressed fear of being in his company because of his behaviour,” Okoronkwo claimed. He further stated that many constituents have expressed similar fears and now seek the NDLEA’s intervention to resolve the allegation of substance abuse.
According to Okoronkwo, the petition, addressed to the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), seeks to ascertain the truth behind the allegations and address the constituents’ concerns.
“We have written to NDLEA to compel our representative to undergo this test so that we know the truth. We are no longer comfortable with the snide remarks by outsiders on his mental status,” Okoronkwo said.
When questioned about potential intrusion into the lawmaker’s private life, Okoronkwo countered, asserting that as an elected public officer, Hon. Kalu is subject to public scrutiny.
“We sent him to the assembly and accountability and transparency demand that we be satisfied that he is mentally and physically sound to do the job. If not, we take action,” he insisted.
Okoronkwo also suggested that undergoing the test would be in the lawmaker’s best interest to “finally lay to rest the allegation against him” that his actions are not related to substance abuse.
