The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has decried the sit-at-home order in the South East, stating that it is causing self-destruction among the people of the region.
“The power of networking is more than money. Unity is power. We hardly recognize our own and we lose a lot of things because of it. We need to end the sit-at-home, people are destroying themselves. We need to come together. The power of unity, the power of growth is important,” Kalu remarked during a visit by the South East Legislators Forum in Abuja.
The Forum, led by Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, Majority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, comprised members of State Houses of Assembly from Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo States. The legislators commended Kalu for his role in championing the South East Development Commission and recognised him as a prominent political leader in the region.
“In the political setting today, you are our leader. You are the leader of Ndi-Igbo. We came to pay a solidarity visit and pledge our homage and said that we are all legislators, members of the State Houses of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States,” Ikoro said.
Kalu emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration among political leaders, urging them to support the SEDC initiative and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improve the lives of Ndi Igbo and Nigerians at large.
He commended the lawmakers for seeking exposure at the Federal House of Representatives, noting that such engagement would enhance their legislative effectiveness. “It will help you. The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities robust. It will help you to speak from the point of knowledge,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker encouraged the legislators to actively participate in constitutional amendments and promote federal legislative issues within their constituencies. “We can’t do it alone. I am sure when you sell the issues coming from the federal to the people, they will embrace it,” he stated.
Kalu called for collective support for the SEDC and stressed the need to develop regional strategies to address pressing issues, including security, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology. “Let’s support the president. We will build capacity. We will have regional town hall meetings for all members to sit and discuss what we will do,” he added.
Addressing the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Kalu expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to secure his release. “I am fighting for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come out. Very soon, it will happen. Please, keep us in your prayers,” he said.
The visit highlighted the importance of unity, regional development, and collaborative governance in addressing the challenges facing the South East.
