10th ASSEMBLY - The Bridge Between Acrimony And Harmony

FOR THE 10th ASSEMBLY, BENJAMIN KALU IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN ACRIMONY AND HARMONY -  Professor Ukaogo 

By 

Njideka Nelson

A Professor in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Victor Ukaogo yesterday called members of the House of Representatives to be bold and resolute in choosing their leaders after their inauguration on May 29th,  2023. And in this direction, he urged them to elect Hon. Benjamin KALU, a returning member representing Bende Federal Constituency to be the speaker.

Prof. Ukaogo made the call when he fielded questions from reporters in Enugu on his way back from Israel where he had gone for the christian pilgrimage. The truth, it would seem is that 40 years after Edwin Umezeoke presided over the affairs of the House, no person from the  south-east has been found fit to hold forth at the Green Chambers. 

He argued that while micro zoning the position to the South East is necessary, the core issue of competence, capacity and acceptability remain key to who holds sway at the helm; and that is where the current spokesman of the House is most suitably placed.

Asked about the other nine contenders to the speakership position, Prof Ukaogo said 'there is no doubt about the quality of the array of qualified members seeking this same office but a combination of factors seem to have thrown Hon. Kalu into an advantaged position to settle perceived matters of marginalization, equity and justice; all of which are probably too glaring to behold'. 

Again, ' has it not been noted by all that even as a green horn in the 9th Assembly, Kalu out-performed several 'parliamentary Methuselahs' to record an enviable report card since 2019'? On the issue of acceptability by his colleagues, the cerebral and  outspoken don was quick to remind all of Kalu's sterling performance as a spokesman who promoted and defended the parliament and government to the chagrin of many and the admiration of several ranking members including many at the Senate Chambers. A first timer with the most bills and motions in comparative terms; whose carriage, comportment, delivery and legislative production remain most admirable even by his detractors. 

Hon. Ben Kalu, the Oracle of parliament as he is popularly called is a complete party man in Abia state and Bende where he comes from.  This reporter witnessed first hand during the last electioneering campaigns how Kalu is adored and admired by his people. 

I listened to some village folks composed of aged mothers and fathers praying for him in Alayi on account of the water borehole he provided for them and the tarred road he brought also. Across the 13 wards in his Constituency, Benjamin Kalu has affected the lives of his constituents. In a party terribly divided during the last elections by schisms, mistrust, and deliberate deceit, Hon.  Kalu was probably one visible candidate that campaigned for all other APC  candidates as a party man. 

Accepted even by members of other parties, Hon. Ben Kalu might just be the magic wand of the 10th Assembly; a good successor to Hon. Gbajabiamila and given his work rate and general acceptability, it might just be safe to affirm as Prof Ukaogo did that Hon. Kalu will be the bridge between the expected great divide in the 10th Assembly. 

This might not be difficult to see as the Labour party hurricane couldn't uproot him. To this Prof. Ukaogo volunteered that 'the most glaring testament of Benjamin 's good works and acceptability can only be measured by his survival in the last elections to be the lone ranger in the Abia electoral turf for the House of representatives '.