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• Declares Ben Kalu Persona Non Grata
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the apex socio political youth group in the South East geopolitical zone has commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu for rejecting the position of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives which was purportedly micro-zoned to the South East.
COSEYL in a statement signed by its President General, Hon. Goodluck Ibem and Publicity Secretary Comrade Okey Nwaoru said the position as taken by the apex socio-cultural group in Igboland, is the popular will and wish of the Igbo people.
The group said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo position also reflects and resonates with the Igbo quest for political survival as one of the major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
COSEYL also chided Reps Member Benjamin Kalu for accepting to be used for the Deputy Speaker position .
“We deem it very insulting, contemptuous, demeaning and most undignifying for Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Member Representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, to betray the collective interest of Ndigbo at a time like this by accepting the position of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, which, by our ranking, is the 7th position in the hierarchy of office and position of power in the nation.
“This singular act by Ben Kalu is reproachful and we condemn it in its entirety. For emphasis, we wish to ask: Are the Igbo now ranked seventh in terms of population and contribution to national growth, economic advancement and development? Are the Igbo now the seventh largest ethnic group in the nation that spoils sharing will eliminate and consign them to the abyss of nothingness? “
The group noted that Nigeria, from its get-go, was established on a tripodal structure by the founding fathers, an arrangement which straddles: the North, dominated by Hausa/Fulani; the East, dominated by the Igbo; and the West, dominated by the Yoruba.
It said the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba nations have up till now continued to retain their positions of power, each having had a shot at the presidency – producing both the president and vice since the return to democracy in 1999 and expressed regret that the Southeast, which is a successor region of the Old Eastern Region with an Igbo majority lags, is forgotten and treated as a minority.
“To elucidate further the point being made, some micro-minorities, who, though are Nigerians and must be seen and respected as such, have today had more recognition than Ndigbo in Nigeria’s political landscape. The zoning formula Hon. Ben Kalu is standing on today, simply because it favours him and him alone, renders the post-war “Three Rs” of “reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation” a ruse in light of present circumstance.”
“Why will Ndigbo play second fiddle to other nationalities even after enjoying the vice president position nine years following the civil war? This is a political decline for a nationality larger than over 10 independent countries in Africa who have a flag each at the AU, the UN and other international organizations. In pursuit of self advancement, Ben Kalu fails to see the bigger picture and keeps exhibiting symptoms of low self-esteem to have accepted deputy speakership post which does not give the Igbo advantage in the positional bargaining politics of 2023”.
“Ndigbo have their own culture and way of doing things peculiar to them, and those found wanting or going against the collective interest of her people are seriously and substantially dealt with, and accordingly. It is not in question that Ben Kalu betrayed his people – Ndigbo – by accepting the position of the Deputy Speaker. Our people have no option than to treat his betrayal accordingly”.
“As youthful representatives of our people, mandated to represent her (economic, political and cultural) interest at all times, we declare Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Member Representing Bende Federal Constituency in the 9th Assembly, a “persona non grata” in South East for betraying the collective interest and aspiration of Ndigbo because of his insatiable narrow political interest. His status is highly inconsistent vis a vis the character. This character does not represent our people!”
“Ndigbo do not treat perfidious traitors lightly, hence the urgent need to denounce Ben Kalu, his politics and whatever it represents immediately, to serve as deterrent to others who might want to consider such evil thoughts, or take that path. Ndigbo deserve and ask for more, and shall not settle for less” the group said.
