Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is interested in the political development of the South East geopolitical zone and has subsequently directed the leaders of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to make the party stronger in the region.
Kalu made the revelation at a meeting with the stakeholders of the party in Abia State which included the State Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu; the 17 Local Government Chairmen and 184 Ward Chairmen.
The deputy speaker enjoined all the party leaders and members to collapse the various factions that hitherto existed and unite to promote the fortunes of the party.
He said: “I don’t believe in factions. Everyone is my brother and friend. We are one family. Those talking about factions should have a rethink. Stop talking about factions and allow people to mingle. This is beauty of party politics. Everybody must come together, let’s work together.
“That’s is the message from Mr. President. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the party should work together. Nothing else matters. I can tell you his body language is to make the party stronger in South East. And this should start from us in Abia State.
“Please, let’s work together. That’s the message I have for you. No other agenda but just to greet you. Collapse also those factions and come, let’s work together. President Tinubu is not interested in the factionalization of the party. You think he will clap for you because you have small factions? No. He will only clap for you because you are working together. So, collapse the factions let’s work together.
The doors and windows of this party should be open. Let’s bring everyone on board. We should reconcile with everyone and make peace. So that we can work as a formidable force. Anyone who wants to make peace with me, I am ready to come and see you. Let us make peace and you, too, should be ready to make peace. Let’s work as one body. Once we unite, other political parties should be afraid. As you know, united we stand but divided we all”.
Speaking earlier, the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Ononogbu appreciated the deputy speaker for his magnanimity, assuring of his commitment to make the party stronger in the State.
“I will say that today is my happiest day as the Chairman of APC in Abia State. I came in at a time people were more interested in themselves. Divisions here and there but despite all those divisions, God lhas continued to lead us. Today, this APC, Abia State has produced thelp number 6 figure in Nigeria. We have every reason to thank God and be proud of that. It hasn’t happened in Abia State. So, I give God the glory it’s happening under my leadership.
“I am excited is that we have somebody in the person of the deputy speaker who has been able to to grow above little sentiments even where some people have tried to work against this unity.
“The deputy speaker, what I want to assure is that this party is intact and they appreciate the role you are playing and you can go to sleep on whatever that is expected from us.
“For our ward chairmen, let me make the announcement. The deputy speaker has come out to say we want you people to feel a sense of the party in your various areas. You have to be calling meetings, getting feedbacks that we will pass over to him and he has committed to supporting what we are doing and over time, all the other leaders are going to join and I can assure you that I will provide the required leadership”, he said.
