A group under the aegis of the Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria (CCSN) on Friday condemned in strong terms the deliberate and unwarranted smear campaign embarked on by faceless groups against one of the frontline aspirants for the speakership position of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
The groups under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Patriotic Front, South-west Professionals and Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups had on Thursday, at a press conference in Abuja alleged that the incumbent Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, does not possess the prerequisite qualities to pilot the affairs of the green chamber.
While responding to the group’s position during a press briefing held on Friday, CCSN National Coordinator, Comrade Archie Isong who reeled out Hon. Kalu’s achievements during the 9th Assembly disclosed that Hon. Kalu sponsored one of the highest number of bills among the new members of the House with about 43 bills amongst which 2 or 3 have gotten presidential assent.
Isong who argued that Kalu’s speakership ambition has unsettled a certain segment, harped on the need to focus on the core issues of competence, equity, balance, loyalty and leadership.
Worried by the smear campaign, Isong who demanded a retraction of the libellous statement issued by the unregistered groups, urged Nigerians of good standing to ignore rumour peddlers and know that a virile, strong and representative House leadership is in support of Kalu as the next speaker of the House of Representatives.
He said: “The race for the speakership of the 10th House of Reps is serious business and not some monkey business as exhibited by a motley of rag-tag, unknown and unregistered Coalition of so-called Northern Patriots Front, South West Professionals and Coalition of Arewa Group. It is worthy of note that while the experience of the incumbent and outgoing speaker, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila is a factor for his laudable performance in the 9th Assembly, his strong knowledge of parliamentary practice and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alongside other factors like external, foreign and local exposures played key roles to attain the greater heights being celebrated today. And the question remains ‘Are these found wanting in the leadership of Hon. Benjamin Kalu?’
“The only available response is no! Time and time again, Hon. Kalu has demonstrated panache and know-how in the affairs of the House. His constituents can attest to the quality of leadership he has delivered to them since 2019 when he was elected. In the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu is not lacking in experience If truly what determines experience according to the House Rule is that a particular candidate must not be less than tenure and that tenure means the register of attendance in the House will define whether or not you met the expectation of attendance in the first, second and third year of the House and the register is there to prove that among most candidates for this position from the Southeast, he towers above them.
“While other candidates from the Southeast for the speakership were in court to determine their fate, Hon. Kalu was already holding the Chairmanship position of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and as the Spokesperson of the House, this experience of four years is equivalent to experience received in any citadel of learning where you are awarded a degree in that field.
“Records bear witness that Kalu has a robust participation in various debates, through the number of bills and motions he has sponsored in the House. It is established that he sponsored one of the highest number of bills among the new members of the House with about 43 bills amongst which 2 or 3 have gotten presidential assent, while the others have progressed from one level to the other. This level of competence can only be fueled and sustained by experience and intelligence.
“Outside the parliament, the public sector experience of Hon. Benjamin Kalu becomes resourceful having been a Local Government Chairman and a two-time member of the State Executive Council in Abia State. His knowledge of the law and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a practising Lawyer and an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria should also be recognized.
“It is important to note that beyond experience, another issue that contributed to the efficiency of the past Speaker is knowledge. It is not enough to be in the House without self-development in basic parliamentary practice.
“You may recall Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu was the one who moved the first motion of the House HM001 and the first gavel of Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker on any motion was that moved by Hon Benjamin Kalu. We have seen him handle topical national issues, issues of national importance on tv debates, radio debates, over the media and press conferences, press releases, and press statements and he has been inspiring.
“One of the issues raised by the unregistered civil society organization is the issue of loyalty. We are not unaware of attempts by a certain individual in the Senate to truncate the rise of Hon. Benjamin Kalu to his own advantage. But at every turn of playing the devil’s advocate, he has failed and like the Biblical Balak, what he intends Balaam to do turns out to be an elixir, a blessing for advancement and forward moving.
“The leadership of the House can attest to the dependability of Benjamin Kalu in teamwork, the team spirit of Benjamin Kalu in making sure that the House remains stable, that the relationship of the leadership of the House and members is well managed, that the relationship of the House and other arms of government were handled well without anyone betraying the other. The evidence is there to be gotten on inquiry,” he said.
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