Omiete Blessing
Following the creation of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), by the Federal Government, a group, Coalition of South East Youths for Democracy (CSEYD), has frowned at comments credited to a former presidential campaign spokesperson, Dr Josef Onoh on the establishment of the commission.
The group rather gave credit to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu for working tirelessly to ensure the commission comes to fruition.
Coordinator of the group, Mr Wisdom Fabulous in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, said alleged attempts by Onoh to dismiss the contributions of Kalu in birthing the commission is an attempt at rewriting the history of the commission and disparaging of the image of the deputy speaker
“CESYD recognise and respects the fact that the media is an open and democratic space entrusted with the onerous responsibility of serving as market place for ideas; we would however not accept that individuals consciously make attempts at rewriting very recent histories.
No, we would not allow such heretic deceptions aimed at hoodwinking the mass of the people of Nigeria and insulting our sensibilities.
“It is no secret that Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives has lavished gratitude to our President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill. These are researchable and verifiable facts laced with empirical evidences,” Fabulous said.
The group recalled that on October 12, 2023, the SEDC Bill sponsored by Kalu, began it’s journey on the floor of the House, and after going through final reading in December same year, it was passed and subsequently transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.
The group however, expressed disappointment that after such effort by Kalu who presided the House of Representatives to passed the bill, Onoh allegedly claimed credit for it success.
They further commends the House of Reps Deputy Speaker for proactively putting Igbo issues and interest ahead of selfish or parochial interest.
“From all our discreet investigations, we can confirm that Benjamin Okezie Kalu holds all Igbo stakeholders in very high esteem and it is most unfortunate that any individual or group would seek to undermine his modest contributions by attempting to blindly rewrite history in exchange for ephemeral gains,” the group said.
