…says plea to release IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu ongoing
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has emphasized the importance of peace in Abia State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC),as he said faction is old fashioned.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of the state stressed the point at the Party’s Caucus/Stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the State capital on Saturday.
The meeting attracted the presence of the party’s governorship candidate in 2023, High Chief Ikechi Emenike; the party’s State Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu; former speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and federal commissioner representing South East in FCT Civil Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike; former Minister of Labour and Productivity; Chief Emeka Wogu and another Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji.
Other dignitaries at the meeting included the former Minister of State for Science Technology and Innovation and Chairman, Governing Board, Federal Polytechnic, Nakede, Imo State; former member of the House of Representatives and currently, Baord member of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the member representing Abia in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Chief Eruba Dimgba amongst others.
Kalu who later moved the motion for the lifting of suspension imposed on some members also emphasized the need to reintroduce monthly levies in the party.
He encouraged the party faithful to make financial commitments to help run the affairs of the party.
The deputy speaker added that Kalu APC has achieved a lot.
He further expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law, telling the meeting that APC government made it possible.
He revealed that an appeal is still ongoing to the President to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.
He said: “Let’s embrace each other. In that kind of atmosphere, you achieve a lot. Many people are coming into the party. They can’t come in to meet a divided house. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Let’s strengthen our foundation, respect the leadership of the party. No matter how familiar you might be with the executive, respect them. The law has put them in charge. Give honour to whom honour is due. I am encouraging you to be proud of our party. We are achieving a lot. Be bold.
“APC as at this week has broken the jinx of 54 years and gave us South East Development Commission. It couldn’t fly in 8th and 9th Assemblies but in this 10th assembly, I dusted and expanded it, lobbied and it passed. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu graciously signed into law, thereby giving us what we couldn’t get from 54 years post civil war policy of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. It is huge and will give your children jobs and build roads.
“We are still appealing to Mr. President to release our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to us and it’s still APC that will do that. So, be proud of APC.
“Please, open your hands. Don’t discriminate. Shun factions. Factions are old fashioned. It doesn’t work. If you tried a particular thing many times and it doesn’t work, you have to change. I don’t factions in APC. High Chief Ikechi Emenike is my big brother. Senator OUK, my big brother also. Hon. Uche Ogah, my friend. Hon. Nkiruka Onyejicha, my sister.
“Please, ensure that the next caucus meeting is enlarged to include the people whose suspension has been lifted. I want to commend the Executive for lifting the suspension. The doors are now open. Bring your contributions. Together, let’s make the journey easier and then, take the State”.