The Item Development Association (IDA) in Aba has condemned the disturbance that took place during the speech of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, at the recent Item Cultural Day. In a statement, the IDA distanced the entire Item community from the actions of a few individuals and formally apologized to the Deputy Speaker.
The festival occurred at the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology on November 7, 2026. The Deputy Speaker, who represents the Bende Federal Constituency, attended the event after participating in the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The IDA’s statement, co-signed by Chief David Kalu Uduma and Mr. Sunday Peter Iroegbu, expressed regret over the situation. They characterized the disruptive behavior as the work of ‘mischief makers’ and emphasized that it misrepresented the values of the peace-loving Item people.
In their statement, the IDA reaffirmed their commitment to respect for authority and called for unity within the community. They extended their deepest apologies to the Deputy Speaker, appreciating his statesmanlike demeanor amid the unfortunate incident.
