Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member Representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Okezie Kalu has emphasized that his focus is on quality service delivery and building functional collaborations for sustainable development in his constituency, Abia State and Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Kalu made the assertion while fielding questions from newsmen during a media parley at his country home, Bende on Friday, January 23, 2026. He used the opportunity to throw light on sundry issues, including the status of the on-going constitution review process, creation of new states, his earlier invitation to Governor Alex Otti to join the APC, his rumoured governorship ambition, constituency projects and the need for South East to support President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
He also responded to issues such as the perceived delay in passing the new electoral Act, his involvement in parliamentary diplomacy, LGA autonomy and the impact of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P).
On constitution review, Rt. Hon. Kalu who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, explained that though the process is at an advanced stage, it must complete its systematic and rigorous procedures before conclusion. He urged Nigerians to be patient with the process, assuring that no detail would be left out.
Similarly, Kalu said that following extensive debates and consultations on creation of new States, there is a consensus on the need to bring the geopolitical composition of the South East to six States. He however said that Igbos must lead a unified front and speak with one voice on the matter.
Responding to the issue of his earlier invitation to Governor Alex Otti to join his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Kalu said that he had extended the invitation to Governor Otti in good faith, looking at the gains of a stronger synergy between the State and the Federal Government with the Governor in the ruling party. He remarked that he had also made the same gesture to other frontline political leaders in the interest of his party and the State.
Regarding his widely speculated governorship ambition, Kalu emphasized that at the moment, he is focused on delivering quality service and building functional collaborations to foster sustainable development in his constituency, Abia State and Nigeria.
In his words, “Governorship aspiration or ambition is not essentially a personal thing. It must be an outcome of popular consensus, within the party, one’s Constituency, Senatorial District and the State. Again, let me say that a lot of people seem obsessed with the prospects of becoming a governor. But there are many other important positions in which one can render service. My emphasis is primarily on quality service and the need to build functional collaborations at all levels in the interest of the people you serve.”
Speaking on his performance as a legislator, particularly on his constituency projects, Kalu disclosed that he has completed over 20 road projects, with others currently on-going, further driving the dividends of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the grassroots.
While inviting the media to conduct independent investigations regarding his constituency projects, he firmly stated that there is no abandoned Federal Constituency project in Bende. He reproached the indulgence of some individuals who tried to fabricate lies about his constituency projects.
Addressing the particular case of Ozuitem-Uzuakoli 5.8 kilometre virgin road, he wondered why someone would take pictures of a 20-metre failed portion of the road and use it to describe the entire road as a failed project. He also dismissed the deliberate misinformation about Ohumola Civic Centre which some people maliciously labelled as an ‘abandoned project’ barely 90 days after commencement of work on it, without finding out its completion timeline.
On the forthcoming 2027 general elections, Kalu said that Igbos have good reasons to support the reelection of President Bola Tinubu based on his bold reforms that bolstered economic growth across sectors. Regarding the possible emergence of an Igbo person as President after President Tinubu’s expected second tenure, he said that no ethnic nationality can produce Nigeria’s President alone, and advised Ndi Igbo to ‘shake hands across the Niger’ and build strong political alliances for the future.
He debunked claims that the House of Representatives is delaying the passing of the Electoral Act, stressing that in line with legislative procedures, the Senate would also take action on the issue.
Kalu also informed that Nigeria’s involvement in Parliamentary Diplomacy, of which he has participated at the frontline in the World Trade Centre, Pan-African Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, EU-African Union Conference in Brussels and other international diplomatic interventions are yielding great results in regional security, bilateral trade, economic cooperation in broader contexts, as well as enhancing the dignified treatment of Nigerians residing abroad.
Expressing confidence that Local Government autonomy would in due course become fully implemented across the country, Rt. Hon. Kalu addressed concerns over the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P).
He assured that in keeping with the non-kinetic approach of PISE-P, working with relevant government agencies and the private sector, PISE-P has been engaging agitators quietly and delivering measurable results evident in the reduction of violent conflicts and hostilities across the region.
He called on all Nigerians of adult age with authentic National Identity Numbers to take advantage of the on-going APC E-registration exercise, become members of the party and play more active roles in shaping national development.
