Deputy Speaker says political partnerships with other zones are key to lasting relevance, cites improved security and development efforts in Abia

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on political leaders from the South-East to deliberately build alliances and partnerships with other geopolitical zones, warning that no region can attain enduring political success by operating in isolation.

Kalu made the call on Friday while speaking with journalists at his country home in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. He stressed that closer political cooperation with the South-West, the North and other parts of Nigeria would significantly strengthen the South-East’s influence and prospects, both in the short and long term.

According to him, the Igbo people have demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial success across Nigeria, and the same spirit of collaboration and expansion should be applied to politics through purposeful alliances beyond the region.

“The Igbos need to partner with the South-West, the North and other zones. Such partnerships will benefit us now and in the future,” the Deputy Speaker said.

Kalu also expressed optimism over the improving security situation in the South-East, noting that the region has witnessed a notable return of peace compared to earlier periods marked by frequent attacks on police stations and other security facilities.

He attributed the relative calm largely to the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative he launched in December 2023. The lawmaker praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors of the South-East states and other stakeholders for their sustained support of the PISE-P framework, which he said has contributed to restoring stability in the region.

On development in Abia State, the Deputy Speaker called for stronger synergy between his office and the state government to accelerate progress, particularly in rural communities. He alleged that some officials at the state and local government levels had obstructed his efforts to deliver educational and healthcare facilities to underserved areas.

Kalu also reacted to reports circulating in parts of Abia State alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was buying voters’ cards and National Identity Numbers (NIN) during its ongoing e-registration exercise. He dismissed the claims as unfounded and misleading, insisting that the allegations were false and without any basis.

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