Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The much-awaited congratulatory message from Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti to his predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has arrived after some days he was announced as Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain. Drum Africa gathered that there were serious negative reactions of perceived political bitterness that may have been overstretched after the Abia government house went quiet on Ikpeazu’s appointment for some days, leading to questions. Most of the reactions that went viral online tried to question the personality of the governor and his ability to let go of politics when it matters most, while some others were of…

The bill titled “Act to Give Effect to the Provisions of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters” has been signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The bill as gathered stands in the name of Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the lead sponsor alongside 6 other lawmakers: Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, Hon. Blessing Onuh, Hon. Nasiru Shehu, Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke and Hon. Steve Fatoba as co-sponsors. As gathered from a press statement by…

…charges Abia govt to face governance instead of campaign of calumny The Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the state government led by Governor Alex Otti to focus on governance instead of concentrating on what the party tagged the ‘campaign of calumny’ against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. The Abia APC, in a statement issued by Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary of the party, said it strongly condemns a perceived desperate and coordinated attempt by certain individuals and interests to undermine, tarnish and malign the image and…

…Commissions Ugwueke-Akaeze Road Linking Abia, Ebonyi States Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, LL.D, CFR has vowed not to commission the newly constructed 5.5km Ozuitem-Uzuakoli road in Bende Local Government Area until the 10-meter failed section is repaired. Kalu made the disclosure on Tuesday after commissioning the 5km Alayi-Ugwueke-Akaeze road, which connects the Local Government Area in Abia State to Akaze in Ebonyi State. The road is also one of the several infrastructures attracted by the Deputy Speaker who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State at the National Assembly. He said that Ugwueke-Akaeze will…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has reiterated the call of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for leaders of All Progressive Congress, APC to intensify engagement with party stakeholders, promote unity and cohesion, and foster reconciliation in the spirit of the season, while also checking on party leaders across the country. Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency stated this during a series of courtesy visits across the three senatorial zones of Abia State – Abia North, Central and Abia South as part of efforts to strengthen party structures and align stakeholders with…

There is a familiar pattern in public life. When real work begins to show results, mischief is never far behind. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is charting a serious and deliberate course in national leadership. His record speaks clearly. And that record is now being tested—not by facts, but by fabrication. For the first time, the South East has produced a Deputy Speaker with a visible, consequential legislative footprint. Hon. Kalu has treated the office not as a title, but as a responsibility. He championed and secured passage of the South East…

… as Deputy Speaker assures the UNICAL of strong Collaboration, improve Government Presence The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, Rt..Hon. Benjamin Kalu for his remarkable contributions to national development, community advancement, and legislative excellence. Prof. Offiong gave the commendation at the Vice Chancellor’s conference room during an engagement with the Deputy Speaker, who was in the institution for some personal business including his Doctoral thesis defence. He expressed profound satisfaction with the Deputy Speaker’s achievements in the National Assembly, noting that his record…

The Senate on Thursday confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze as the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission (FCC) following the presentation of a detailed screening report by the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs. The report was presented by the committee’s chairman, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District during plenary presided by the Senate President , GodswillAkpabio. His presentation paved the way for the upper chamber to adopt the committee’s recommendations after a hitch free consideration process. Senator Onyesoh informed the Senate that the…

Guinea-Bissau’s military has appointed army chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam as transitional president. General N’Tam, took the oath of office during a ceremony at military headquarters on Thursday. “I have just been sworn in to lead the High Command,” he declared. The development comes a day after a group of military officers seized power, arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and haltes the release of last weekend’s election results. A senior officer revealed that “the chief of staff and the minister of the interior” had also been detained. Opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira, who was barred from last weekend’s presidential…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appointed Barr. Ekuma E. Emmanuel as Chairman of the Ebonyi State Caretaker Committee. The party also appointed a seasoned Journalist and former Senior Aide to the Governor, Hon. Moses Idika as Secretary and eleven others, members of the Caretaker Committee. This was contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, on Wednesday. Others appointed as Members of the Ebonyi State Caretaker Committee are: Chief Christopher E Ngwuta, Hon Nnanna E Oji, Chief Godwin O Nwode, Barr Ugochukwu Obasi, and Engr Odanwu E…