Kalu tells Igbo youths to avoid nationwide protest

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has appealed to the people of Abia State and the entire South East region to refrain from participating in the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10. He believes these protests are counterproductive and urges patience with the federal government’s efforts to address regional challenges.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is actively working to improve the situation in the South East. He cited the recent approval of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill as a key example of the president’s commitment to the region.

Kalu made his appeal during a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the 13 electoral wards of Bende Federal Constituency. He urged his constituents and Igbo youth to spread the message of patience and trust in the government’s initiatives.

“There is hunger in the land and people are agitating, but my brothers, I want you to be the advocates that will go to the villages and tell people to calm down, a solution is coming,” Kalu said. He highlighted President Tinubu’s prompt approval of the SEDC bill, which had been stalled in previous assemblies, as a significant step toward addressing the region’s long-standing issues.

Kalu pointed out that the bill’s approval symbolized a major reconciliation gesture: “In the minds of many people, the Civil War truly ended the day he signed that bill. This is the man who said that after 54 years, Igbos have not been listened to but now, that Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation you have been asking for, here it is in the SEDC.”

He also called for a standing ovation for President Tinubu for his decision to sign the bill and reiterated appeals for the release of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. According to Kalu, Kanu himself expressed support for the developmental initiatives represented by the SEDC.

“The only way we will reciprocate is to sustain peace and say ‘no’ to protest and say ‘yes’ to process,” Kalu stated, urging people to give the government time to implement its policies.

Kalu called on leaders at all levels to show compassion and support to their communities during these challenging times. “Leaders, go to your communities and be with your people. Hear them and solve their problems. You may not solve all of them, but at least show them love and care,” he advised.

He warned those organizing the protest to consider the potential consequences, urging them to avoid actions that could spiral out of control and infringe on the rights of others. “I believe in lobbying and negotiation to resolve conflicts. We have agitated with violence and crisis; it didn’t work but we have used lobbying through PISE-P and it worked. We got what we had not gotten for 54 years,” Kalu remarked, advocating for peaceful and constructive engagement.

Kalu’s message underscores the importance of patience, dialogue, and unity in addressing the region’s challenges. He encouraged the people to support the government’s efforts toward development and peace.