Benjamin Kalu, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, expressed his desire to become the speaker of the 10th assembly in Abuja on Wednesday.
He confirmed the rumors and said he is competent to lead the green chamber. Kalu observed that no lawmaker from the southeast has been a speaker for 40 years. He believes that the country must address the lack of diversity in leadership positions to promote unity.
Kalu emphasized that governors should not “impose” their choices on members-elect but rather allow them to choose a competent leader.
“We need to have new members buy into our competence to lead. It is not good for leaders at home to impose (someone) that will lead the members of the parliament without the members having any knowledge about who is coming to lead them,” he said.
“I’m bringing on board transformative, and legislative intervention that is based on innovation and it is only people like us who have been equipped that will be able to bridge that gap.”
Read also: Obasanjo Writes UK Court, Seeks Clemency For Ekweremadu
‘I DEFENDED TINUBU IN SOUTH-EAST’
Kalu, who is the sole All Progressives Congress (APC) House of representatives member-elect from Abia, said he defended President-elect Bola Tinubu when “it was like a taboo to do so” in the south-east.
The legislator claimed that gunmen targeted his office in Abia because of his support for the APC and Tinubu. He also demanded that he be rewarded with the speakership position.
“The APC gave me a platform. I was the only member of APC that fought and won for the house of representatives in Abia state,” he said.
“I defended my party; I took bullets for my party, I projected my presidential candidate even when it was like a taboo to do so in the south-eastern region. My office received hundreds of bullets or more because I was preaching APC.
“It is time for a reward. If there is loyalty to the party, loyalty should always be rewarded to stimulate further loyalty. If I stood firm to win for my party in Bende federal constituency, as the only surviving APC house of reps member in the entire Abia state, it means that I have something to offer and I defended my party.
“It is time for my party to let my people know that I didn’t make any mistake by standing by the party. Let them give us what is my due based on my qualification.”
When asked whether he would consider another position in the green chamber if the speakership isn’t allocated to the southeast, Kalu responded, “I will comply with my party as a loyal member.”
He further emphasized the importance of the party’s authority, stating that while having personal ambitions is acceptable, they must align with the goals of the party that brought one into the house.
