Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has said that strong efforts are still being made to secure the release of the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.
Kalu reiterated the commitment in Abuja while meeting with the South East Legislators Forum made up of lawmakers from 5 State Houses of Assembly from the South East region led by the Majority Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Kingsley Ikoro on a courtesy visit to his office.
He said that a lot is being done behind the scene with the appropriate authorities, expressing optimism that the result of the meetings will soon materialize.
He said: “I am fighting for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come out. Very soon, it will happen. Please, keep us in your prayers.”
Appreciating the lawmakers for the visit, Kalu called for unity and synergy amongst the political leaders in the south east region.
He commended the interest of the lawmakers in the ongoing constitution amendment process, charging them to give their full support.
The Deputy Speaker also urged the legislators to support the South East Development Commission (SEDC) in realizing its objectives.
He also called for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the government means well for Ndi Igbo and Nigerians in general.
“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 to together. The power of unity, the power of growth is important.
“I want to also commend you for leaving your various Houses of Assembly to come to the Federal House for exposure. It will help you. The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities to be robust. It will help you to speak from the point of knowledge.
“I also want to thank you for showing interest in the Constitution amendment. 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.
“On the proposed zonal public hearing, we will want you to support what we are doing in the process of amending the Constitution. We are thinking of starting in first and second quarter of next year.
“As members of the South East legislative forum, you need to be strong and have a common legislative agenda. Birth an idea and think of how we can utilize it.
“And that is why I want you to support the SEDC. Some people have said that the President said he wasn’t going to do it. They abandoned the 3Rs. Let’s support the president. We will build capacity. We will have regional town hall meeting for all members to sit and discuss what we will do. One of the things that is paramount is security. Let’s develop agriculture, infrastructure, energy, technology amongst others”.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Hon. Kingsley Ikorohim said that they came to pay a solidarity visit and pledge their homage to the Deputy Speaker as the political leader of the South East 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.
Signed:
Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
