Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, has urged the Abia State Government and the entire South-East region to acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for ensuring the release of funds driving key infrastructural projects across the country.
Kalu made the call on Friday during the commissioning of projects in Aba, Abia State, where he commended Governor Alex Otti for his efforts in transforming the state’s infrastructure, while also stressing the need to recognize the President’s fiscal support.
“I am not a member of your party; I belong to the APC. But when it comes to development, we must remember that we were first citizens of this state before we became members of any political party,” Kalu said.
“If you truly love your state, you should work with your governor to succeed, no matter your political affiliation.”
The Deputy Speaker said his approach to collaboration was not new, noting that he had extended similar cooperation to former governors T.A. Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu. He described Governor Otti as “a friend before he became governor,” adding that governance thrives on partnership between the state and federal governments.
“As the Deputy Speaker, I represent the people of the South-East, and Abia is part of that region. I have accompanied Mr. President to Enugu and Anambra—states not governed by the APC—so there’s no reason I shouldn’t identify with my own governor,” he said.
“I have gone with him from morning, visiting all the projects till this evening. I have seen the quality of work, and I commend him. But as a citizen of this state, I say—like Oliver Twist—we need more.”
Kalu particularly charged the Abia media and the Commissioner for Information to give due credit to President Tinubu for releasing additional funds to the states following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“Let’s be vocal in praising the President for making resources available to the states when he removed the oil subsidy. He didn’t keep that money in Abuja; he sent it to the states,” he said.
“Please, give credit to whom credit is due. Tell Abians that the President is supporting their governor. It’s in our culture to thank a helper so he can do more.”
He added that appreciating Tinubu’s interventions would encourage more federal projects in the state and across the South-East.
Kalu also appealed to the President—represented at the event by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi—to consider establishing a seaport in the South-East, noting that such infrastructure would boost trade and economic activity in the region.
“Mr. President, South-Easterners are traders. We need a port to enhance commerce and connect our region better,” he said.
Turning to another pressing issue, the Deputy Speaker pleaded with President Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing demolition of properties belonging to Igbo residents in Lagos, urging the state government to allow affected persons to regularize their documents rather than lose their investments.
“The destruction of our brothers’ houses and offices in Lagos makes our hearts bleed. For those without proper documentation, I appeal that they be allowed to rectify their papers instead of facing demolition,” he said.
“These are difficult times. But I trust Mr. President, who has shown care for the Igbo people—including appointing one of them as his first Commissioner of Finance—to listen with compassion.”