Reps spokesman Kalu joins Speakership race

Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Abia, APC), has joined the Speakership race for the 10th Assembly billed for inauguration in June.

Kalu, who represents the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, made his interest known on Thursday while interacting with members of the House of Representatives Press Corps at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The lawmaker who is returning to the House for the second term said he has the needed legislative experience and capacity to effectively preside over the affairs of the 10th House of Representatives.

“The question of whether I have the intention to contest is that yes, I’m interested in that position.

“I am interested in running for the position of Speaker of the 10th Assembly,” he said. 

He said one of the motivations for seeking the position of Speaker was to enable him to lead the House to prosperity and progress, as well as “to lead the nation to unity and peace come the 10th Assembly that is starting in June.” 

Kalu also said that his motivation for the race was to give the south-eastern region of the country an opportunity to lead the House after about 40 years of not having the opportunity to do so.

“But let me mention this: why the zone I come from – which is definitely not the only reason – should be interested in the Speakership of the House is that for 40 years, the South Eastern region has not occupied that position.

The last time the position was occupied by people from the South Eastern region was during the reign of Rt. Honourable Edwin Umezeoke, which was from 1979 to 1983. 

“From 1983 to date, we are talking about 40 years of people from the South Eastern region not sitting on that seat.”

“We know we will do well when we occupy that position because of what we are thinking of bringing on board, which will strengthen our democracy. This is the fulcrum of our democracy. 

“The question is, how do we help Nigeria achieve this cohesion, this national unity, this inclusiveness, the politics that will bring everybody together for the purpose of achieving prosperity for the nation?

“And given the sense of belonging to every geopolitical zone, that is one of the tools to be used to achieve that. 

“If the South Easterners are saying, granted that we are not able to get the president; granted that we are not able to get the vice president; we are not conceding that we are not competent enough to be able to lead the legislative arm.

“Give us the legislative arm, and we will do good to the Federal Republic of Nigeria with regards to bringing everybody on board and pushing the nation forward,” he said.

He urged his colleagues, the All Progressives Congress, and other stakeholders to support him to enable him to actualize his aspiration.