…Celebrates 53rd birthday with the poor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s style of administration and friendly disposition towards the South-East region, are part of the reasons behind the gale of defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the South-East.
Hon. Kalu who made the claims on Sunday while fielding questions from newsmen, maintained that President Tinubu had so far demonstrated care for the South-East, a gesture that had triggered the ongoing defection to the party.
“The product we are selling in the current administration of President Tinubu is the reason. If you are blind, are you also deaf to hear that this man has good plans for the South-East region?
“He is doing well and that is what is attracting a lot of people to him. He helped one of their sons to become the number six citizen in the country. And this their son is doing well.
“Tinubu helped in my emergence by ensuring that the plan against the South-East producing the Deputy Speaker did not work. He insisted that equity and fairness must prevail. He ensured balance in distribution of positions in the country.
“Mr President has endeared himself in the heart of Abians, and they are beginning to see that this is where the renewed hope is. That’s why they are leaving their parties. It’s not only PDP, even members of Labour Party are also joining the APC. We are pushing and targeting other political parties to join the mainstream political party.
“We expect a lot more people to come on board the APC ship. I can assure you that APC will take Abia State.”
The Deputy Speaker further said that President Tinubu was not responsible for Nigeria’s current economic woes which he blamed on the past administrations.
He rather said that the President, had been working hard to fix the numerous challenges he inherited in office.
“The hardship we are passing through was not caused by this man. It’s a piled up case of previous administrations and how they mismanaged one or two things.”
The lawmaker urged Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu as he makes efforts to address the challenges he inherited, claiming that his policies are beginning to yield results.
“We cannot continue to live in lies thinking that all is well. Tinubu wants to clean up the place so that we can have a genuine livelihood that is sustainable. Let’s keep supporting and encouraging him.”
The Deputy Speaker predicted brighter future for Nigeria after the current economic turbulence, and solicited support for Tinubu.
Responding to a question on why he chose to celebrate his birthday with the down trodden, Hon. Kalu said God told him to identify with the poor instead of the rich.
He said it was a way of giving hope to those without hope, adding that he prefers to please God than spend resources unnecessarily.
“I can afford to be in Abuja and celebrate with the rich but of what purpose is that when we still have the poor, the widows, the blind, and orphans around us?
“These classes of people are hardly remembered or cared for. Nobody tells them: I love you, I care for you.
“So, I decided to give them hope. They are here in their numbers, and we are all going to eat from the same pot today, and afterwards, I will give them something to take home.”
The Deputy Speaker said it amounted to cruelty to live in opulence or hoard resources while people wallowed in poverty.
“What is the essence of keeping things in the warehouse when there is hunger in the land? What is the essence of keeping things until election periods?
“I’m not interested in the political party or faith. I’m interested in the colour of humanity which is: if you are up, extend your hands to those who are down.
“Let’s spread love, peace and unity, showing others that we care irrespective of their background or political affiliation.”
The Deputy Speaker personally handed over food to some of the orphans, widows, people living with disabilities and the aged.
He also distributed other items including mattresses, mats, food items and cash to them.
The ceremony also attracted the presence of some political bigwigs and clergymen in the state.
