Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has criticized the sit-at-home orders in the Southeast, warning that they are causing harm to the people and the region.
Kalu made the statement during a meeting with members of the South East Legislators Forum in Abuja on Friday.
He called for unity and collaboration among Ndigbo, emphasizing that collective efforts are key to the region’s growth.
“The power of networking is more than money. Unity is power,” Kalu said.
He expressed concerns about the self-inflicted damage caused by sit-at-home protests and urged Southeasterners to come together to chart a better course for the region.
“We need to end the sit-at-home. People are destroying themselves,” Kalu declared.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives aimed at rebuilding the Southeast, which he noted has suffered significant setbacks.
Kalu stressed the need for all Igbo leaders and citizens to support the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The SEDC, he explained, is tasked with reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the Southeast, particularly addressing the lingering effects of the Nigerian Civil War.
He urged lawmakers to rally behind the commission to achieve its statutory goals.
“I want to commend you for showing interest in the Constitution amendment. We can’t do it alone. The South East legislative forum must come up with a common legislative agenda for the zone,” Kalu stated.
He expressed optimism that the constitutional review public hearings set for next year would provide an opportunity to address the region’s challenges.
Kalu called on Southeasterners to align with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring them that the government is committed to the well-being of Ndigbo and all Nigerians.
He praised lawmakers from the region for their dedication and willingness to learn, urging them to use their exposure in the Federal House of Representatives to advocate for the Southeast’s interests.
“The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities robust and help you speak from a point of knowledge,” Kalu told the lawmakers.
The Deputy Speaker also hinted at ongoing efforts to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kalu expressed hope that the results of these efforts would soon be visible.
Kalu’s remarks followed a solidarity visit from members of the South East Legislators Forum.
The forum, which includes lawmakers from the state houses of assembly in Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo States, commended Kalu for his role in advancing the region’s interests.
Led by Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, Majority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, the group pledged their support for Kalu’s leadership.
“In the political setting today, you are our leader. You are the leader of Ndi-Igbo,” Ikoro said during the visit.
The lawmakers praised Kalu’s efforts in establishing the SEDC and fostering unity among Southeasterners.
Kalu emphasized that the disunity among Southeasterners has often hindered progress.
“We hardly recognize our own, and we lose a lot of things because of it,” Kalu lamented.
He urged leaders and citizens of the region to rise above divisions and work together for their common good.
“The power of unity, the power of growth, is important,” he said.
Kalu’s message underscores the urgent need for Southeasterners to rethink strategies, focus on development, and put an end to actions that cause self-destruction.
With his call for unity and support for government initiatives, Kalu is pushing for a new era of progress and collaboration in the Southeast.
