Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged the people of the South East to dump regional politics and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said it was foolish for the South East to continue functioning as a minority when it ought to be in line with the party in power.
Kalu stated that he took bullets for President Bola Tinubu in the South East both before and during the presidential elections in an interview with Flo 94.9 FM Umuahia.
He thought there was more space for South East politicians in the ruling party, the APC, if they joined from other parties like the PDP, APGA, and LP.
Because four different parties rule the South East states, Kalu voiced concern that their voices are not heard as much when they make demands.
Being a part of the party in charge of the federal purse would open up additional lobbying opportunities, thus he felt that the South East should move on from regional politics and concentrate on national politics.
His words,
“APC will be stronger now in Abia and in the South East than before.
“This is the time for those sitting on the fence to hop in before it becomes late. Because we are bringing the type of leadership that will recognise your stake,” Kalu said.
“It is better for you to be in a party that has control of the federal purse because that way, we can lobby better. When we go with the splinter group, our voices are low.
“We must leave regional politicking and go national politicking. If we do more for APC, APC will do more for Ndigbo,” the Deputy Speaker said.
On his relationship with Abia State Governor, Kalu stated that he would not engage in a fight with the governor but would support the development of Abia State, even though they belong to different political parties.
He pledged to support any initiatives that could benefit Bende, Abia State, the South East, and the entire nation.
The lawmaker further lamented the low vote figure APC got in the South East during the last presidential election, but admonished Ndigbo against repeating the same political miscalculation in subsequent elections.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in renewing Nigerians’ hope.