…Seeks Tinubu’s intervention, seaport in South East
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has strongly condemned the unprovoked demolition of shops and structures belonging to Igbo people in Lagos.
The Deputy Speaker called on President Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to halt the needless demolitions and give Ndigbo living in Lagos a sense of belonging.
Rt. Hon. Kalu, who made the appeal when President Tinubu visited Abia to inaugurate some projects executed by Governor Alex Otti, also made a strong case for the establishment of a functional seaport in the South-East to boost trade and commerce in the zone.
He said: “I want to give a message to Mr President. Mr President, sir, we want to thank you as Abians for what you are doing in our state through our Governor and what you are doing around the South-East. But I must say, it is about time, Mr President, that we had a seaport in the South-East.
“South-Easterners are traders. We need a port so that our trade will be enhanced. Mr President, I also want to say that the destruction and demolition of the houses and offices of our brothers in Lagos make our hearts bleed.
“Mr President, for some of them who have not gotten the right documents, my plea to you is to appeal to the Governor of Lagos State to keep accommodating our brothers and please allow them to rectify their documents instead of resorting to destruction.
“Let them come into the room and find a way of regularizing some of these documents. It bleeds our hearts that in this lifetime, our houses are being destroyed.
“But I know that Mr President, who loves the Igbo people, will listen to us. Mr President, who supported me to be the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; who has given us the honour of controlling the waterways for the security of our country, will listen to our prayer.”
Kalu, who stressed the need for partnership between the states and the federal government, said he would continue to support developmental efforts in his state even though he does not belong to the same political party as the Governor.
“We are first citizens of this state before we became members of political parties. And if you love your state, irrespective of the political party of your government, you will find a way to work with your government to succeed.
“It is in my character to associate with the government of my state. I did it with Gov. T. A. Orji; I did it with Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, and there is no reason Gov. Otti would invite me here and I say no.
“Governance is about partnership. The state must partner with the federal government, and the federal government must partner with the states.
“As the Deputy Speaker, I represent the people of the South-East in the sub-national leadership of this government. I am here as part of the South East.”
The Deputy Speaker acknowledged the developmental efforts of Gov. Otti and declared that the Governor has done well.
He, however, urged him to acknowledge increased funds from the Federal Government following the removal of fuel subsidy, which according to him, is the secret behind his achievements.
“Please, give credit where credit is due. The one that the President has done, the one the President has assisted, make sure Abians know that our President is supporting his friend, the Governor.
“It is important because it is the philosophy of the Igbos. If we need more from the President, we must give due credit to the President so that he will release more to the Governor to do more for Abia State.”
President Tinubu was represented on the occasion by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, who promised to convey the message to Mr President.
In his speech, Gov. Otti restated the resolve of his administration to transform the state, promising to do more in the months ahead.
Otti urged political office holders to leverage their privileged positions to advance the cause of their people irrespective of their political affiliations.
“When you are part of a government, either national or sub-national, you are part of that government. Political parties, particularly in Nigeria, are relevant only during elections. They are platforms to contest elections.
“When the elections are over, political parties take the back seat, and the government takes the front seat. So, it does not pay for anyone to put himself in a position where he will compete with other positions, because you cannot be opposed to yourself.
“Every discussion about elections happens at the National Economic Council, where every Governor is represented. Whatever I’ve done that day, I say it on the floor. But most of the time, we have to go and defend what we have decided.
“That is how our government works. Government doesn’t form by dissonance. Government doesn’t form by people throwing stones and abusing others.
“Even the Bible records that power belongs to God. And any time you take a position against those in authority, God will not be happy with you.”
The event drew a crowd of eminent personalities from across the state.
