‘He’s competent’ — group condemns ‘sponsored’ campaign against Abia rep’s speakership bid

The Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria (CCSN) says Benjamin Kalu, a member of the house of representatives, is qualified to be speaker of the 10th national assembly.

The CCSN was reacting to an alleged smear campaign against Kalu by some groups.

Speaking at a media conference on Friday, Archie Isong, national coordinator of CCSN, said some groups were sponsoring media campaigns to discredit Kalu’s speakership bid.

He said the “faceless” groups were embarking on the scheme to work against the south-east candidate in the speakership race.

“The race for the speakership of the 10th house of reps is a serious business and not some monkey business as exhibited by a motley of rag-tag, unknown and unregistered coalition,” he said.

“Time and time again, Kalu has demonstrated panache and know-how in the affairs of the house. His constituents can attest to the quality of leadership he has delivered to them since 2019 when he was elected.

“In the house, Benjamin Kalu is not lacking in experience if truly what determines experience, according to the house rules, is that a particular candidate must not be less than tenure and that tenure means the register of attendance in the house will define whether or not you met the expectation of attendance in the first, second and third year of the house.

“The register is there to prove that among most candidates for this position from the south-east, he towers above them. While other candidates from the south-east for the speakership were in court to determine their fate, Kalu was already holding the chairmanship position of the house committee on media and public affairs and as the spokesperson of the house, this experience of four years is equivalent to experience received in any citadel of learning where you are awarded a degree in that field.

“Records bear witness that Kalu has robust participation in various debates through the number of bills and motions he has sponsored in the house.

“It is established that he sponsored one of the highest number of bills among the new members of the house with about 43 bills amongst which 2 or 3 have gotten presidential assent while the others have progressed from one level to the other. This level of competence can only be fueled and sustained by experience and intelligence.

“Outside the parliament, the public sector experience of Benjamin Kalu becomes resourceful having been a local government chairman and a two-time member of the state executive council in Abia state.”

CCSN said Kalu has the “experience and knowledge” to lead the 10th house of representatives and that any attack against his candidacy should be ignored.

Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Bende federal constituency of Abia, currently chairs the house of representatives committee on media.