Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has canvassed the support of traditional rulers in the southeast for President Bola Tinubu, saying the president was interested in the development of the region.
Kalu, who spoke at a meeting with members of the Bende Traditional rulers council at the weekend, also said that the president was happy that Ndi Igbo are resolved to stamp out insecurity and addressing other sociological challenges through the Peace In South-East Project (PISE-P).
The Deputy Speaker asked the traditional rulers to support the government of the day to reap more benefits therefrom.
He said: “Wherever Ndi Igbo see themselves, they encourage peace and harmony. We thank you for holding these values. I am your representative in the House of Representatives. I did not get there on my own. It was you that elected me. And this is why Abia state honored me.
“A few days ago, the Governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti who is not a member of my party decided to honour me with a high title in Abia. He told the Abia State traditional rulers council to confer on me ‘Enyi Abia” (Strength of Abia). He must have seen something in your son.
“A day after that day, you saw what happened in Bende. It has never happened before. President Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Senate President represented by his deputy, my boss, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the governor of the State, Dr. Alex Otti, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State,
Other governors who couldn’t make it in person came through their deputies.
“The Ooni of Ife, Emir of Kano, Emir of Bichi, Obi of Onitsha, over 15 Igbo billionaires were in Bende. I can go on and on.
“On this position, we are just starting work. The President called to say I am very, very happy that the Igbo came together for this. Truly, there is hope for the Igbo man. It does appear that this handshake across the Niger has started.
“Let’s us also support the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Some were afraid whether he will remember the Igbo. But he has proved all of us wrong by choosing the Chief of Naval Staff.
“The President also handed over the issue of Infrastructure into the hands of an Igbo son, Senator David Umahi, my friend, the former governor of Ebonyi to replicate what he did in Ebonyi in Nigeria. There are others too. A President who does not love Ndi Igbo will not do that”.
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