A group known as Patriots of Nigerian Democracy has berated Dr. Josef Onoh, son of late C.C Onoh, the former governor of Enugu State over what they described as an ‘insult’ on the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
Reacting to a media report credited to Onoh wherein he said that “Ben Kalu is not responsible for establishment of S/East Devt Commission”, the group in a statement jointly signed by its national chairman, Comrade Olaolu Esan and the Secretary, Engr. Abdullahi Rabiu said that Onoh is ignorant of the parliamentary practice.
Describing him as an “agent provocateur”, the group stated that Onoh is envious of Kalu’s rising political profile, adding that he is seeking relevance.
The group also stated that Kalu is grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill into law.
The statement read this: “We are writing to educate Dr. Josef Onoh on the proceedings of the parliament. Obviously he has just exhibited absolute ignorance about the workings of the legislature.
“In a report credited to him, Onoh said that “Ben Kalu not responsible for the establishment of S/East Devt Commission”.
“Ordinary, Onoh is not worth any response but his ignorance should not be left to fester. Although, he sounded like a middlesome interloper or an agent provocateur who is looking for trouble here and there, one is surprised that he will sound so ignorant with all his education, political and public service experience.
“We may need to refresh his mind. We remember vividly that Rt. Hon. Kalu immediately after the signing of the bill took several national newspapers to express his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Kalu also held a Press Conference where he equally conveyed his appreciation and that of the people of the South East to the President.
“In many other fora that followed suit, the Deputy Speaker also continued to appreciate the President and has never stopped. All this is to publicly pay tributes to Mr. President for his benevolence. We are therefore shocked that Onoh is now claiming ignorance of that.
“Besides all these, Onoh deserves our collective pity for not knowing that the life span of any bill in the parliament ends the moment that assembly terminates. He also needs to be educated on the possibility of many versions of a particular bill which are often times consolidated. In essence, any returning lawmaker can dust up the bill and run with it to get the buy-in of his colleagues.
“This is exactly what Kalu did. From what we know, he has never said that there was no such bill before the 10th Assembly. As a matter of fact, the Deputy Speaker has always made reference to the 8th and 9th Assemblies where the bill refused to fly.
“On October 12, 2023, the SEDC bill standing in the name of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and over 40 others was reintroduced on the floor of the House having expanded it. The Deputy Speaker also followed through in the Senate until it was graciously assented to by the President. Similarly, Kalu has also not failed to recognize the invaluable inputs of his colleagues from the South East.
“To this end, one wonders the kind of envy that gave unnecessary impetus to Onoh’s comments.
“For emphasis sake, Kalu is not inebriated in self adulation or glorification on the establishment of the Commission. If anything, he is only excited that the South East has finally gotten the attention of the federal government through a bill he sponsored, collectively passed by the members of the House and eventually signed into law by President Tinubu.
“All he needs is the support of his kinsmen to push for more dividends of democracy through legislative interventions. He doesn’t need to be distracted by people like Onoh who, shortly after the presidential assent, started sponsoring media articles, craving to be appointed the Managing Director of the SEDC.
“Once again, the Deputy Speaker is eternally grateful to Mr. President, his colleagues from the South East and the entire membership of the 10th National Assembly for the reality of the South East Development Commission”.
