The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, has led a delegation of APC bigwigs to the residence of a two time commissioner in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya (Evulogu Ibeku).
The delegation ably led by the number six citizen of the country,had the immediate past Legislator, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency and currently the Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, a former Abia house of Assembly Speaker and currently Commissioner representing Southeast in the FCT Civil Service Commission Rt. Hon. Martin Azubuike, Former Acting Governor in Abia state, Stanley Ohajuruka, former Minister for Labour Emeka Nwogu, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Deputy Speaker, Daniel Akwari amongst others in attendance.
In his speech, during a courtesy visit to Chief Ogbonnaya and members of the Umuahia Political Forum, Rt Hon Kalu, said his present position as the Deputy Speaker of the Green Chamber, calls for strong support and solidarity from political stakeholders and men of goodwill in the state.
According to him, he needs the likes of Chief Charles Ogbonnaya as a back bone to achieve his mission for the South East, since he cannot do it alone.
He maintained that occupying such an high profiled position in the country, demands that he has a strong political backing from his home base,as this will further open up Abia and the Southeast at large for greater opportunities at the federal level.
“I can’t be number six citizen and I don’t have people following me behind,it will be exciting when people see me,they see men with political pedigree behind me.
“They said you have retired from active politics,but you have to come back.
“We recall you, we want Umuahia political forum to have relevance. We hereby recall you from the retirement”.
Recall, that Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, had in December 2023,announced his retirement from partisan politics, following the defeat of his party, the People’s Democratic Party at the 2023 general elections.
The Deputy Speaker, however, called for the return of Chief Charles Ogbonnaya into active politics and the All Progressives Congress, so as to help reposition the Umuahia political Forum, Abia political space and by extension, the Southeast, for what he described as immense benefits that lie ahead.
He further puts the decision to a voice vote, which was greeted by a thunderous affirmation.
Responding, Chief Ogbonnya appreciated the Deputy Speaker for finding time in his busy schedule to visit him and he extolled the number six Nigerian Citizen for his efforts in sponsoring and propagating bills that would position the southeast for development, which has eluded the region since the civil war.
The former Trade and Investment Commissioner while assuringh the Deputy Speaker of his support and the consideration of his request to return to politics, used the opportunity to call on the astute Legislator to do all he could to secure the release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,from detention which he said would further endear him to the hearts of Ndigbo.
“Help to see Nnamdi Kanu’s release. He is your brother,now that you have called me out of my retirement,Will I say no?
Members of the Umuahia Political forum who were present at the meeting, included former Leader Abia House of Assembly; Rt Hon. Chidiebere Nwoko, Dr. Emeka Enyiazu, former Chairman Umuahia North Local Government Hon. Chidiebere Nwachukwu, the Woman Leader of the Forum, Chief Mrs. Chika Ezeala amongst others.
