Deputy Speaker Kalu Urges Igbo to Reject Anti-Government Protests

In his ongoing advocacy for peace in the South East, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has called on the Igbo community to reject any calls for anti-government protests. Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) South East Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Kalu emphasized that supporting the government would be in the best interest of the region.

Kalu highlighted the achievements of the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the APC-led government has done more for the South East than previous administrations. He cited various appointments and ongoing efforts to provide the region with an additional state as evidence of the government’s commitment.

Key Points from Kalu’s Address

Support for Tinubu’s Administration:

• Kalu urged the Igbo community to remember the significant contributions of President Tinubu’s administration.
• He highlighted Tinubu’s reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy, such as the unification of the FOREX market and redirecting funds to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
• These reforms have boosted investor confidence, making the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) one of the top-performing stock exchanges globally.

National Security Improvements:

• Significant investments have been made to modernize and equip security forces.
• Over 4,600 hostages have been freed, more than 9,300 hostiles neutralized, and over 7,000 terrorists and bandits arrested.

Legislative Support and Regional Development:

• The National Assembly, under APC leadership, continues to leverage legislative interventions to reposition the South East and the nation.
• Efforts are ongoing to provide the South East with an additional state.
• The call for the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is gaining attention as a key factor in resolving the region’s security challenges.

Inclusivity and Appointments:

• The recent appointments of several illustrious sons and daughters from the South East demonstrate the party’s commitment to inclusivity.
• Kalu acknowledged the support from Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and Ohaneze Ndigbo in these efforts.

Rejection of Anti-Government Protests:

• Kalu advised the Igbo community to avoid participating in anti-government activities, warning that such actions could undermine the progress made so far and make them targets of unrest.
• He emphasized the importance of unity and support for President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, which he believes is crucial for the continued development of the South East and Nigeria as a whole.

Conclusion: Kalu’s call for unity and rejection of anti-government protests reflects a strategic move to consolidate support for the current administration and ensure continued progress and stability in the South East. His emphasis on the government’s achievements and ongoing efforts underscores the importance of collaboration and peaceful advocacy for regional and national development.