REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Bende, Abia State — The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, has called on Nigerians, particularly the people of the South East, to extend hands of fellowship to other ethnic groups in order to achieve greater political gains ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Chief Kalu made the call while speaking with newsmen at his country home in Okputong, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, as he reflected on his two years of what he described as transformational leadership as Deputy Speaker of the House.
He urged the people of the South East to shun discrimination and excessive partisanship, and instead apply the traditional Igbo values of co-existence, tolerance, and inclusiveness in political engagement, stressing that such an approach would enhance their success in national politics.
The Deputy Speaker disclosed that he has executed over fifty human and infrastructural projects across his constituency. He cited the recent commissioning of a newly rehabilitated road in Ugwueke and the reconnection of five autonomous communities to the national grid from the Alaoji Power Plant in Aba, noting that the projects would significantly boost socio-economic activities in the affected areas.
Reacting to rumours surrounding the ongoing electronic registration of the National Identification Number (NIN) by officials of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) deployed to Bende LGA, Chief Kalu clarified that President Bola Tinubu has made NIN registration mandatory for every Nigerian. He added that it is also a requirement for prospective members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a demonstration of legitimate citizenship.
While regretting that the South East’s data registration rate has been described as low, Chief Kalu advised the people of Abia State and the entire region to prioritise NIN registration in order to improve their data statistics and access to government services.
On the issue of local government autonomy, the Deputy Speaker identified existing gaps in local government administration across the country, stressing that full autonomy would only be feasible when councils function optimally and transparently.
He also commended South East governors for their efforts in sustaining peace in the region, noting that their actions align with his PISE-P initiative (Peace in South East Programme), which aims to promote lasting peace and development in the zone.
