The groundbreaking legislation sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, has sparked mixed reactions. While many Nigerians celebrated the Bill’s passage into Law, others are unhappy because it thwarted their expectations of business-as-usual, where personal interests would take precedence over regional development. These detractors, driven by self-serving motives, are dismayed that the legislation prioritizes the greater good, over their own selfish gains.
A misleading article published on certain blog sites on September 10th, 2024, has prompted a response, to set the record straight and correct the inaccuracies presented. The aim is to counteract the writer’s intentions and prevent the spread of misinformation.
While the global Igbo community is appreciative of the President’s signing of the South East Development Commission Bill into law, a handful of malicious individuals are attempting to sow discord by falsely portraying the people of the South East as ungrateful. This misrepresentation is not only inaccurate but also divisive.
Ndigbo are not ungrateful people. They are appreciative of the uncommon role played by the nation’s President in actualizing an age long desire. Hence,no son or daughter of the land can share in this glory. Painting a Picture that the Deputy Speaker is taking the commendations due the president is not only barbaric but satanic. This deliberate mischaracterization can drive a wedge within the Igbo community.
The Deputy Speaker, has unequivocally demonstrated through various platforms, his gratitude to the President over the deliberate intention to assuage the unhealable pain and trauma that stem from the civil war 54 years ago. Recently in a trending video, the Deputy Speaker as a way of reciprocating the kind gesture of the President, vowed to deliver Abia State to APC come 2027 gubernatorial election.
In his words, “APC will take over Abia Governorship come 2027, that is what I owe Mr President”.
He went further to say that the current Labour Party Governor of Abia State would be the last the party would ever produce, showing his readiness to galvanize the APC in Abia, to slug it out come 2027. His argument was that, APC would not be helping the state to develop, while the Labour Party takes the credit.
According to him, APC would determine who would be the next Governor of Abia State. He said he doesn’t know who that would be, but he is confident that the APC as a platform would produce the next Governor of the State, adding that the President who has allowed the attraction of the dividend of democracy to the State, allowed the appointments of Abians into key positions, and ensured the passage of the South East Development Commission(SEDC) Bill, must be repaid.
“My government is working hard, the President, is working hard and Abia must repay him.
“We are not ungrateful people. Monkey will not work and bamboo will chop. APC will not help Abia to be strong and Labour Party will take the credit, No way. We have to push for our party to take over Abia State.That is what I owe my party and Mr President”.
Mr Joseph Onoh, what more could be done to show gratitude?
Only someone who harbors ill-will towards the Deputy Speaker would falsely claim he has not shown the President the utmost respect and honour he deserves, thereby, spreading devilish propaganda and peddling deceitful and divisive rhetoric.
Even the Christian book, “The Holy Bible”, admonishes us to give honour to whom it is due.
Also, the South East region has overwhelmingly expressed its gratitude to the President, as evident in numerous press releases and interviews granted by prominent Igbo personalities and organizations. These public statements have consistently conveyed the region’s appreciation for the President’s support.
The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, through their President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, though late now, “May his soul rest in peace,Amen”, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the passage of the SEDC Law. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Ogbonnia, equally described the gesture as a quantum leap and a new beginning for the region, while praising the efforts of the Reps Deputy Speaker, and other key supporters who played pivotal roles in the Bill’s passage.
While commending the President for signing the Bill into Law, it is inaccurate, unfair and totally wrong to diminish the role played by the Deputy Speaker,by saying,”He was not responsible for the sponsorship of the Bill”.
The President’s assent to the Bill has rightly earned him accolades, but it’s equally important to recognize the Deputy Speaker’s instrumental role in sponsoring the legislation that led to the establishment of the SEDC. Their collaborative efforts have made a significant impact.
Following the Legislative progression, the South East Development Commission Bill with Bill number HB.626 was captured on the House of Representatives Order Paper for Thursday,12th October,2023, under the presentation of Bills. On item number 46,the Deputy Speaker (Sponsor) and 42 others (Co-sponsors) brought the Bill for its first reading.
The Bill passed its second reading on Wednesday, 20th of December,2023. Thereafter, the report was presented and considered on Thursday, 21st of December,2023.The SEDC passed its third reading on the same day of 21st December,2023.
According to the Senate progression, the Bill had its first reading on Thursday, 15th February,2024, followed by its second reading on Wednesday, 21st February,2024. The report was presented and considered on Thursday, 22nd of February,2024, and had its third reading on the same day.
The House of Representatives adopted the report on Wednesday,5th June,2024, while the Senate adopted the Bill on Tuesday,11th of June,2024. The Presidential Assent was given on Tuesday, 23rd of July,2024.
However, the seamless movement of the Bill through both Chambers of the National Assembly showed that adequate work was done behind the scene to set the stage for the passage of the Bill by Mr President. Both arms of the government deserve credit for their contributions to this landmark achievement.
Ordinarily,one would be startled where the former campaign spokesman to the President in the South East, Joseph Onoh, got his misleading information from, that Senator Samuel Anyanwu, originally introduced the SEDC bill in the Senate on June 22, 2016, which passed its second reading in June 2017. He also recalled that Senator Stella Odua reintroduced the bill in November 2019, which the National Assembly passed but was not signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Nevertheless, as the watch dog of the society, we are here to correct and feed him with adequate information, and as well,put the records straight.
It’s actually surprising that the Deputy Speaker’s role as the sponsor of Bill HB.626 is now being disputed, despite major national dailies consistently acknowledged him as such in their publications. For example, Punch Newspaper for 22nd of February 2024, Vanguard Newspaper in their Editorial published on the 2nd of July,2024, and others, all documented the legislative role played by the Deputy Speaker and his colleagues in actualizing the SEDC Law.
The sudden controversy raises questions about the motivations behind the attempt to downplay the contribution of the Deputy Speaker. It simply implies that there may be ulterior motives behind the sudden dispute.
However, the South East region remains a lingering reminder of the unresolved legacy of the Nigerian civil war, a 54-year-old wound that still festers, due to the country’s ongoing struggle to effectively manage its diversity. The South East Development Commission (SEDC), initiative represents a crucial step towards healing this longstanding injury, but it is only one piece of a broader reconciliation process that Nigeria must undertake to truly move forward.
The President of Nigeria holds the key to reconciling the South East region’s historical grievances, and his leadership is crucial in this healing process. Therefore, it’s essential to acknowledge and appreciate his efforts towards this end. As the saying goes, ‘Get the South East right, and you’ve gotten Nigeria right”. This further emphasizes the region’s pivotal role in the country’s overall well-being.
Other sponsors of the SEDC Bill include;
Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo
Hon Nnolim Nnaji
Hon. George Ozodinobi
Hon Mariam Odinaka Onuoha
Hon. Chinedu Emeka
Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo
Hon. Chinedu Ogah
Hon Victor Ogene
Hon. Dennis Agbo
Hon Obinna Aguocha
Hon. Pascal Agbodike
Hon. Canicmoore Nwachukwu
Hon. Dominic Okafor
Hon. Obiageli Origbo
Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo
Hon. Clement Eleodimmuo
Hon. Maureen Gwacham
Hon. Emmanuel Uguru
Hon. Eze Nwachukwu
Hon. Osi Kama Nkemkanma
Hon. Peter Aniekwe
Hon. Chinwe Nnabuife
Hon. Joseph Nwaobasi Hon. Stainless Okereke
Hon. Chimaobi Atu
Hon. Chijioke Nwodo
Hon. Paul Nnamchi
Hon. Sunday Umeha
Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta
Hon. Jonas Okeke
Hon. Tochukwu Okere
Hon. Onyinye Ikeagwuonwu
Hon. Matthew Nwogu
Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu
Hon. Akarachi Amadi
Hon. Emeka Idu
Hon. Emeka Sunday Nnamani
Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa
Hon. Onwusibe Ginger Obinna
Hon. Ogah Amobi Godwin
Hon. Alozie Munachi Ikechi
Hon. Chris Nkwonta
