The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has canvassed the support of Ndigbo in the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Kalu, who spoke when he met with members of the South East Legislators Forum, enjoined Ndigbo to join heads in ensuring the development of the South East geopolitical region of the country.

“The power of networking is more than money. Unity is power. We hardly recognize our own and we lose a lot of things because of it,” he said.

“We need to end the sit-at-home, people are destroying themselves. We need to come to together. The power of unity, the power of growth is important.”

Kalu expressed gratitude for their visit and emphasized the importance of unity and synergy among political leaders in the region.

He encouraged the lawmakers to support the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the government is committed to the well-being of Ndi Igbo and Nigerians in general.

“I want to also commend you for leaving your various Houses of Assembly to come to the Federal House for exposure. It will help you. The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities to be robust. It will help you to speak from the point of knowledge.

“I also want to thank you for showing interest in the Constitution amendment. We can’t do it alone. I am sure when you sell the issues coming from the federal to the people, they will embrace it.”

Kalu hinted that the proposed constitutional review zonal public hearing will commence in the first and second quarter of next year, adding that it behooves the South East legislative forum to come up with a common legislative agenda for the zone.

He called on Ndigbo to support the SEDC to carry out its statutory role of reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the Southeast geopolitical region negatively affected by the Nigeria Civil war.

The Deputy Speaker also revealed ongoing efforts to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), expressing optimism that the outcome of these efforts will soon materialize.

The Forum, comprising members of State Houses of Assembly from the South East geopolitical zone, has commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu for his efforts in establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The Forum, led by Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, Majority Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, paid a solidarity visit to Kalu in Abuja, acknowledging his role as the political leader of the South East region.

He said: “In the political setting today, you are our leader. You are the leader of Ndi-Igbo. We came to pay a solidarity visit and pledge our homage and said that we are all legislators, members of the State Houses of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States.” (The Guardian)