From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Ohanaeze Youths Council (OYC) has commended the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which, it said, will bring unprecedented socio-economic growth and development in the region.
The Council also appreciated the efforts of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for the legislative roles he played that culminated in the passage of bill, and its assent by the President.
OYC President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, in a statement, on Wednesday, highlighted that Hon. Kalu deserve the accolades for painstakingly using his time, office and good relationship with the President and members of the National Assembly to mobilize support for the SEDC, while describing the relationship of the Deputy Speaker and the President as a great resource to Ndigbo.
He further appealed to the President to initiate more cheering developmental programmes and projects for South East region, while calling for the release of IPOB detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Ndigbo are waiting for another celebration, and we appeal to the President to grant the prayers of Hon Kalu for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release adopting a political solution on the matter,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, the OYC President has condemned in totality, the alleged efforts by some misguided and misinformed persons such as Dr. Josef Onoh; the acclaimed President Tinubu’s South East Campaign Spokesman, for discrediting the dogged and patriotic inputs of the Deputy Speaker, in passing the age-long bill that has established the SEDC.
He described Mr. Onoh’s action as a calculated attempt to create disunity in South East polity, further accusing him of playing the devil’s advocate, while seeking ways to clinch the Managing Directorship position of SEDC through the back door without knowing the true background, and makeup of the Act that established the Commission.
He added: “You do not become Managing Director of SEDC by attacking any political leader, and most especially Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who saw to the finality of the of the bill using his office and good relationship with the President.”