PISE-P Project: Dep Speaker says Tinubu happy with Ndi’Igbo

By Tom Okpe

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Benjamin Okezie Kalu has informed that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is happy with the Ndi’Igbo people over its stand on peace in the South East region of the country.

This was as the people gathered together for PISE – P, a peace initiative in the zone, initiated by the Deputy Speaker, Kalu.

Recall that PISE-P, was recently launched in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, the Deputy Speakers constituency.

Speaking during an interactive session with members of Bende Traditional Rulers Council and Ndi Ugoeze, Bende weekend in Bende, Kalu, in a press statement, signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker said Tinubu is interested in the development of the south east, urging them to support the administration of the day, to reap more of its benefits.

He said: “President Tinubu is happy to see Ndi Igbo gather together for the noble cause of stamping out insecurity and resolving other sociological challenges, through the Peace In South East Project, (PISE-P).

“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.

“Few days ago, 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, 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 happy that the Igbo people, 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 also, support 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, our son.

“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 State, to replicate what he did in Ebonyi in Nigeria. There are others too. A President who does not love Ndi Igbo will not do these.”

Kalu also called on traditional rulers to support administration of Dr Otti to develop the State.

“We will assist the Governor to take care of you. The truth is that, he has a good heart. He is committed to getting the job done and we should support him to be successful. Let us come together and support him. Let us support him to succeed for the good of the State,” he said.

Kalu who was meeting with the traditional rulers for the first time since his election as Deputy Speaker, appreciated the traditional rulers for their support, promising to attract more dividends of democracy, promising not to disappoint them.

“I said that it won’t be nice if I leave for Abuja after all we did without interacting with you. So, I decided to call you to honour you. There is no position that will make me forget you.

“I will never disrespect you. You are our traditional rulers, I respect you all, and it will continue that way.

“It is my ritual to interact with you on the needs of the people. If you don’t have your list, please, go and bring it. We want to be pragmatic and sensitive to our priorities. You are the stakeholders in Bende. You came to show that I am your treasured son. I will not disappoint you.

“We need to reflect the actual needs of Ndi Bende. What I want to do for you, should be a consensus between us. I think this is the best approach.

“This is the first time we are meeting this way. The story started gradually and you believed in me. The 360 members saw it and believed in me too. On that day of inauguration, the 360 members elected me unopposed.

“Thank you for sending me to Abuja because I wouldn’t have been there, if you didn’t elect me.

“The benefits of your work will come to you. I will not disappoint you. I don’t want to make many promises but in the days to come, I will appreciate you better.”

Kalu enjoined the monarchs to support PISE-P and the newly passed South East Development Commission bill in the House of Representatives.

“I am tired of the blood of my brothers flowing on the streets. I am saying, let us try another way of resolving our issues. Non kinetic is the way. Soon, you will see what peace in South East Project will achieve.

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“It is high time the Igbo people, joined the mainstream of political leadership of the country. Please, continue to pray for us. Be part of the South East Development Commission. Please, be a part of PISE-P. You have a role to play”, he said.

Making a donation of some bags of rice and a token for their new year celebrations, Kalu also pledged to provide them with a bus to assist them in discharging their responsibilities.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Chairman, Bende Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness, Eze Uchendu Okorie said they will support Tinubu’s government and follow their son wherever he goes.

“We will support President Tinubu. We will go wherever he goes. We will follow our son where he goes. We have not had it so good like this before.

“He is a man of wisdom, an orator. We will help him to go higher. Yes, he’s in the House right now but we want him to go higher.

“In the next dispensation, we will try to see that he goes higher. He has the capacity to do what is right.”