Item Community Condemns Disruption of Aba Cultural Festival, Apologises to Deputy Speaker Kalu

The Item Development Association (IDA), Aba Branch, has condemned the disruption that occurred during the speech of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, at the 2026 Item Cultural Festival in Aba, Abia State.

The association also dissociated the Item community in Aba from the incident, describing the conduct of those involved as the handiwork of mischief makers, while tendering an unreserved apology to the Deputy Speaker over the embarrassment caused by the incident.

The cultural festival was held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba, where members of the Item community resident in the commercial city had invited Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

According to the association, the Deputy Speaker honoured the invitation despite having spent the day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, attending the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally before proceeding to Aba for the cultural celebration.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of IDA Aba Branch, Chief David Kalu Uduma, and its Secretary, Mr Sunday Peter Iroegbu, the association expressed regret over the incident, insisting that the unruly conduct of a few individuals did not reflect the values and character of the Item people.

The association particularly regretted the politicisation of the cultural gathering, maintaining that those responsible for the political chants were not representative of the Item community.

“The leadership of Item Development Association (IDA), Aba Branch, on behalf of the entire Item community in Aba, wishes to dissociate itself from the unfortunate incident that occurred during the speech of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, CFR, at the Item Cultural Festival held at the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba, on Saturday, 7th November 2026,” the statement read.

It added that the association categorically condemned the conduct of the individuals involved, describing their actions as inconsistent with the peaceful disposition and cultural values of the Item people.

“The people of Item are peace-loving, cultured and respectful of constituted authority. Such conduct does not reflect our values or represent the character of our people,” the statement added.

The IDA leadership further tendered an unreserved apology to the Deputy Speaker, expressing appreciation for what it described as his statesmanlike disposition in the face of the disruption.

“We therefore tender our unreserved apologies to the Distinguished Deputy Speaker and deeply appreciate his statesmanlike disposition in the face of the unfortunate incident,” the association stated.

Item is a major community in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, with three of the constituency’s 13 electoral wards. The community has maintained a significant presence in Aba, where its residents organise cultural and developmental activities to promote unity and preserve their heritage.

The association’s reaction comes amid attention surrounding the disruption at the cultural festival, which was expected to provide an opportunity for cultural celebration and interaction among members of the Item community.