Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu stated on Saturday that President Bola Tinubu represents the long-awaited figure to address regional aspirations in the Southeast since the conclusion of the Biafra civil war. Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) women empowerment rally in Enugu State, Kalu maintained that the region will mobilize to secure Tinubu's victory in the 2027 elections.
What did Benjamin Kalu highlight regarding the Southeast?
Kalu pointed to previous leadership patterns where successive administrations allegedly overlooked the post-civil war policy framework known as the three Rs: Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Reintegration. According to the lawmaker, decades passed without fulfilling these promises until the current administration assumed office.
"For now our mandate is to support the man that has been supporting us, this man has not hidden his love for Ndi-Igbo, when he was the governor of Lagos State, no Igbo property was taken, no Igbo who was a businessman was arrested," Kalu stated.
How has the administration impacted the Southeast region?
Kalu emphasized specific policy actions, noting that the long-debated South East Development Commission bill successfully gained executive approval under Tinubu's leadership, transitioning from prolonged legislative delays into an operational establishment. He also cited infrastructure developments, including bridges, roads, and educational scholarships, as core reasons for regional political support.
Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker recalled historical ties, pointing out that Tinubu previously appointed Ben Akabueze to his executive cabinet during his tenure as Lagos State governor, an action he described as unprecedented for the community at the time.