By Jude Opara, Abuja
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has assured that the Igbo community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will vote massively for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
Kalu who is also the Secretary of the APC National Campaign Council for FCT Area Council Election, spoke at the National Secretariait of the party, shortly after the inauguration of the committee by the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has given a sense of belonging to the people of South East, adding that since there are a lot of Igbos living in Abuja, he will ensure they realize why they should support the ruling party.
“I am an Igbo man and also a Nigerian and I’m part of this government. I’m one of the faces of Igbos in leadership. So no longer can Igbos say we are not part of the administration. This did not happen in the previous administration. If you look at the succession leadership of the country for eight years, there was no Igbo person there. Now they see me every day, participate in the governance of this country. And I know that is a big message to my people, that they are not alienated, that they are not marginalised out of the current government. That is a campaign tool already for this administration.
“My people that I love so much, my Igbo people that I love and who also love me will not allow me to be ashamed knowing fully well that I’m at the helm of affairs to make sure that the bulk vote of the Igbo communities in Abuja that we harvest them for the greatest party within the black race that is called the APC”.
Kalu further added that the FCT administration led by the Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike has made a huge impact in the lives of the residents of the city.
“This administration has made a huge impact in the FCT. Under the government of the President Bola Tinubu, there is a great difference from what it used to be and what it is at the moment. And I want to also thank the Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has done tremendously well in not just impacting the urban areas of FCT but making governance to be felt even at the grassroots.
“These are our campaign tools. That is what we are taking to the market. We are talking beyond posters. We are talking beyond radio jingles. We are talking beyond campaign slogans into the FCT. We are saying the fact speaks for itself. You can feel our development. You can touch and experience what we have brought as dividends of democracy. So there is going to be less job for us to do”.
“Yes, we struggled in the time past because there were no visible evidence of the impact of the government within the FCT. But no reasonable person can say the same thing currently. So we are here to convince our people that the government that has done this for the people of the FCT and the residents that they are charged to do more if given the opportunity to provide leadership in the six area councils of this FCT and in the 68 council membership of the FCT, we are ready”.
The Deputy Speaker added that his committee will mobilize all the Igbos in the City Boy Movement, the Renewed Hope Partners and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to collaborate to ensure that the APC wins the FCT.
