From Azubuike Chikanele,Abuja
Rt.Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu,the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives has called on Ndi-Igbo to think strategically and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration during the 2027 elections to continue to enjoy and benefit from many more development projects and programmes from the federal government .
The Deputy Speaker stated this on Thursday during the interactive session/dinner with Imo state stakeholders and leaders in Abuja.
Dr.Benjamin Kalu expressed his delight and appreciation for the concern and commitment President Tinubu has on any development programme that will directly impact on the South East in view of many years of neglect and infrastructural decay in the region. He said such concern made the President to speedily assent to the South East Development Commission Act and set up the commission to tackle the issue of development concerns immediately.
He stressed that as Deputy Speaker and top elected representatives from the South East extraction he has the responsibility to relate very closely and engaged with Igbo people across five states in the south east regularly wherever they are in Nigeria or in Diaspora for them to be well informed about government programmes and projects and at the same time get their feedback for the collective interest of Ndi-Igbo and Nigeria in general,which he said should be regular and part of democratic engagement .
He appealed to Imo stakeholders to fully support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and showcase such massive support during the 2027 elections by voting him for the second time in office.
He advised that Igbo people should fully be in the mainstream of Nigeria political development by being part of government at the centre.
He frowned at a situation where over four political parties will be struggling for votes in the south east which always resulted in further dividing the votes of Ndi-Igbo instead of giving full votes that is bigger to the central government in power.
He assured that South East has a lot to benefit if the support and vote for All Progressives Congress government of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He assured that the views and opinions matters for government planning and decision. And issues suggested will be communicated directly to the president for his actions.
The Deputy Speaker further stated that the people should feel free to give just and fair assessment of his activities as the Deputy Speaker if he is leaving upto their expectation as the representatives of Ndi-Igbo at the central government.
Dr Cliff Ogbede the Executive Director Natural Resources,Agriculture and Rural Development at the South East Development Commission who was the Chief host, earlier in his remarks thanked the Deputy Speaker Dr Benjamin Kalu for the democratic engagement with the people. He said such open door policy of the Deputy Speaker is wealthy of emulation,as the people recommendation and activities should help to articulate better understanding and set agenda for meaningful development by the government.
Prof Maurice Iwu former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC.called on Ndi-Imo to take the advice of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu for the benefit of Ndigbo. in Nigeria political development.
Dr Kema Chikwe. former minister of Transportation hinted that all hands to be on deck to ensure that Igbos are not left out in the scheme of Nigeria politics, that Igbos should support Dr Benjamin Kalu's humble appeal for coperation and understanding.
Speaker after speaker moreover, appreciated the efforts of Rt hon Kalu as a servant leader who is positively projecting the good image of Ndi-Igbo at the national level and also ensuring that the south east is fully captured in the development programmes of the federal government under the leadership of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.The Imo stakeholders appealed to the Deputy Speaker Dr Kalu to please communicate to the President Bola Tinubu to urgently release Mazi Nnamdi Kalu from detention as his incarceration is deteriorating security situation in the south- east which had serious negative to peace and socioeconomic implications. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu from detention immediately which they believed to have aggravated security situation now in Igbo land and his release will likely reduce drastically the security threats and some other criminal activities by some criminal gangs who uses Mazi Nnamdi Kalu's name to torment the innocent people.
The Imo stakeholders thanked the National Assembly and President Tinubu for setting up the South-east Development Commission and called for the speedy release of funds in the commission's budget to ensure the full implementation of their projects and other activities.
Amb. Timothy Ihemadu in his speech commended Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu for examplary leadership style as a true people's representatives. He said the interactive session will provide opportunity for better democratic participation and cross fertilisation of ideas that will assist in policy formulation and implementation.
Amb.Ihemadu thanked the Imo state stakeholders for the massive attendance within a short notice and promised that such engagement will be encouraged to be more regular.
He commended the Deputy Speaker and Imo stakeholders for their maturity in addressing critical issues and articulate answers during questions and answers session. Dignitaries that attended the event includes Hon Emeka Chinedu,Ugwumba Uche Nwosu,former Lawmakers, Ministers,Commissioners,the academia, public office holders, community leaders,youths and women leaders across Imo state and their friends.