Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged gunmen operating in the South East region of Nigeria to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful negotiations with the Federal Government for better job opportunities and a promising future. His call comes as he launched a Food-For-Peace Program aimed at addressing hunger in the South East.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting and empowerment program in Bende, Kalu commended President Bola Tinubu for his fair treatment of the South East in terms of appointments and developmental projects. He expressed concern about the impact of sit-at-home orders on the region’s economy, noting that it had driven away many investors of South East origin.
Kalu condemned the activities of unknown gunmen, describing their actions as a challenge to the authority of the Federal Government and detrimental to the economic and overall development of the South East. He urged all agitators still operating from the bush to embrace peace initiatives like the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) to foster stability in the region.
Highlighting Tinubu’s contributions to the Igbo community, including key appointments and positions, Kalu stressed the need for the Igbo nation to support Tinubu in his future political endeavors. He also expressed his desire for the release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, emphasizing that embracing peace would hasten the process.
Kalu cautioned against the futility of sit-at-home orders and violent activities, urging those involved to surrender their weapons and work towards peace. He recounted the destruction of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office in Abia State before the 2023 general election, citing it as an example of the violence’s impact.
The Deputy Speaker expressed satisfaction with the success of the PISE-P in maintaining relative peace in the South East during the Yuletide season. He emphasized the importance of social cohesion between the Igbo and other tribes for the region’s development.
At the stakeholders’ meeting, 25 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC, signaling a shift in political allegiances within the constituency.
Daily Post