A Sincere Thank You Visit That Should Not Be Misconstrued.
Tuesday (Afor)29-04-2025.
Impulsiveness has always been at variance with reasoning. This has been so because it is driven by emotion, as opposed to critical thinking and evaluation.
The Honourable Member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt Hon Ben Kalu, CON, has introduced a paradigm shift in the political dynamics of Abia State. Long before his emergence, it was not fashionable or common to observe a Political Office Holder give or recommend for strategic appointments persons who are not his or her kinsmen or from his or her immediate Constituency.
In the case of Rt Hon Kalu, a new dimension in extensive political consideration has become evident. He has been so open minded that his appointees and those he recommends for appointment are not restricted to his Bende Federal Constituency, Abia-North or even Old Bende.
As Members and Leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ukwa La Ngwa of Old Aba Division, his broad-mindedness became fascinating. Why not? You could just take a look;
(1) The Chief Press Secretary, CPS, of the Deputy Speaker, Mr Livinus Nwabuighogu, is from Ukwa La Ngwa.
(2) He recommended Rt Hon Martins Azubuike to be a Commissioner in the Civil Service Commission of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
(3)With the creation of South-East Development Commission, SEDC, he influenced the appointment of Dr Emeka Wogu, Esq, as it’s inaugural Board Chairman.
(4) He collaborated with his Colleagues in the Green Chambers to make sure that the Hon Member representing Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency in the House, Hon Chris Nkwonta, emerged as Chairman of House Committee on South-East Development Commission.
(5) It should not be forgotten that out of his volution, without any prompting from any quarters, he had recommended that the National Institute For Nigerian Languages at Aba be upgraded to a fully fledged Federal University.
The worst description that can be stamped on a People is to label them as ingrates. The People of Ukwa La Ngwa in APC thought it was morally compelling to go and thank the Rt Honourable Speaker for his uncommon benevolence to their kinsmen, and area.
In the absence of the Leader of the Association, Chief Ebere Nwachukwu, the delegation was led by his Deputy and a former Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Council, Elder Godwin Nna who was the Chief Speaker. Others that spoke included a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, Sir Don Ubani, a former Member of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Uzor Azubuike, and a female Member. The delegation had close to thirty Members.
The Chairman of All Progressives Congress in the State, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, a former Member of House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia-North/Umuahia-South, Hon Sampson Onuigbo, the Executive Director, Finance, on the Board of South-East Development Commission, Rt Hon Stanley Ohajuruka, a former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and Commissioner in the Civil Service Commission of the Federal Capital Territory, Rt Hon Martin Azubuike, and the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, Barr Sam Hart, were present throughout the meeting.
The speakers only focussed on gratitude to their benefactor. They also, like the legendary Oliver Twist, asked for more. No speaker ever asked Rt Hon Kalu to come and contest Governorship election in 2027. The delegation submitted a written address to the Deputy Speaker.
In his response, the Deputy Speaker expressed gladness that the Members of APC in Ukwa La Ngwa had come to show appreciation for his modest kindness to some of their kinsmen. According to him, that singular attitude would motivate him to do more. There was no time he ever indicated even the slightest interest that he will run for Governorship in 2027. Rather, his major concern and emphasis was on his plea that Abia State and the entire South-East Region should give maximum support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and re-elect him in 2027.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that some individuals who were not part of the delegation and who failed to make any honest inquiry on what really transpired have either ignorantly or mischievously given the visit an entirely different connotation, falsely and irresponsibly alleging that the delegation had gone to ask the Deputy Speaker to come and run for Abia Governorship in 2027.
2027, though not too far from now, is still a long way to navigate. As human-beings, permutations will always be made but at the end of it all, it is God’s will that will reign.
Sir Don Ubani was one of the four Leaders that spoke during the Thank You Visit.
