A group, the Coalition of Southeast Youths for Democracy (CESYD), has defended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, regarding his role in establishing and operating the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC).
This followed what it described as publications attempting to rewrite the history of the commission’s evolution.
Pointing to Josef Onoh, the former campaign spokesman for the 2023 Presidential project, the group, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Wisdom Akunna, warned that it would not tolerate any effort to malign the Deputy Speaker, who they credited with the passage of the SEDC bill into law.
The group decried what it described as a “bring-him-down” attitude by those who have become frustrated due to their inability to contribute meaningfully to the development of their regions.
However, it advised against using the media to undermine the sacrifices made to ensure the establishment of the SEDC.
The group added: “It is no secret that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed profound gratitude to our President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for signing the SEDC bill into law.
“These are researchable and verifiable facts supported by empirical evidence. We are, however, taken aback by the obvious show of hate, driven by the ‘pull-him-down’ syndrome.”
The group recalled: “On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the SEDC bill, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, began its journey on the floor of the House of Representatives when it went through its first reading.
December 20, 2023, was its second reading, while the presentation and consideration of the report took place on December 21, with the third and final reading occurring on the same day.
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“Effectively, the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, presided over by our son, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, passed the SEDC bill and transmitted it to the Senate for concurrence.
On February 15, 2024, the SEDC bill went through its first reading in the Senate, followed by a second reading on February 21, while the presentation and consideration occurred on February 22. Subsequently, this landmark bill received Presidential assent on July 23, 2024.”
CESYD expressed shock that attempts were being made to “dismiss the significant contributions of our son, the Deputy Speaker, who used his intellect, energy, friendships, goodwill, and camaraderie to ensure the passage of this bill, turning the dream of a Southeast Development Commission—which had failed to materialize in the 8th National Assembly—into reality.”
“We conclude by stating that we are aware of the indisputable fact that the Deputy Speaker, on whose young shoulders fate and God Almighty have placed the leadership of Ala Igbo at the center, has consistently prioritized Igbo issues and interests over selfish or parochial concerns. We challenge the naysayers to contradict this fact.
“Our discreet investigations confirm that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu holds all Igbo stakeholders in high esteem. It is unfortunate that any individual or group would seek to undermine his modest contributions by attempting to rewrite history for personal or ephemeral gains.
“Notably, the passage and subsequent signing into law of the Southeast Development Commission bill represent a watershed moment in the 10th National Assembly’s legislative achievements and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Any attempt to erase the name of our son, the Deputy Speaker, from this laudable achievement is an exercise in futility.”
