Kalu seeks pardon for suspended Abia APC members

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for the immediate lifting of the suspension placed on All Progressives Congress members in Abia State, stating that the party must come together for its good.

Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency made the plea at the party’s caucus/stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on Saturday.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, noted that the meeting was attended by the party’s governorship candidate in 2023, Ikechi Emenike; the party’s State Chairman, Kingsley Ononogbu; former speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and federal commissioner representing South East in FCT Civil Service Commission, Martins Azubuike; former Minister of Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu and the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji.

Kalu who moved the motion for the lifting of suspension slammed on some members and also emphasised the need to reintroduce monthly levies in the party.

He added that the financial commitment of members was needed to run the affairs of the party at all times.

The deputy speaker added that APC has achieved a lot.

He further disclosed that an appeal is ongoing to the President to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kalu.

He said, “Let’s embrace each other. In that kind of atmosphere, you achieve a lot. Many people are coming to the party. They can’t come in to meet a divided house.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand. Let’s strengthen our foundation, and respect the leadership of the party. No matter how familiar you might be with the executive, respect them.

“The law has put them in charge. Give honour to whom honour is due. I am encouraging you to be proud of our party. We are achieving a lot. Be bold!”

He also commended the ruling party for its imprints in the South East, saying, “APC broke the jinx of 54 years and gave us the South East Development Commission.

“It couldn’t fly in the 8th and 9th Assemblies but in this 10th assembly, I dusted and expanded it, lobbied and it passed.

“President Bola Tinubu graciously signed into law, thereby giving us what we couldn’t get from 54 years of civil war policy of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. It is huge and will give your children jobs and build roads.

“We are still appealing to Mr. President to release our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to us and it’s still APC that will do that. So, be proud of APC.

“Please, open your hands. Don’t discriminate. Shun factions. Factions are old-fashioned. It doesn’t work. If you have tried a particular thing many times and it didn’t work, you have to change. I don’t do factions in APC”, he assured.