…distributes bags of rice, fertilizers to constituents
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Benjamin Kalu yesterday in Abia State formally received a former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,Cosmos Ndukwe into the ruling All Progressives Congress APC.
In a statement signed by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu made available to journalists in Abuja stated that he called on the people to continue to support the APC administration, assuring that the President will do more for the people.
According to the press statement, the event took place in Ward C, Akanu Item in Awuja Automous Community, Item, Bende local government area of Abia State during Kalu’s tour of electoral wards in his Bende federal constituency.
Ndukwe, a grassroot politician in Abia State had previously served as a councillor, vice chairman, Aba north local government area, Chief of Staff to former Governor T. A. Orji, several times Commissioner, deputy speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and presidential aspirant in 2023 general election.
During the event,according to the statement, Kalu applauded Ndukwe’s decision to join the APC, maintaining that the party under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully determined to develop the South East region of the country.
While recalling the signing into law of the South East Development Commission,SEDC, bill, the deputy speaker reaffirmed that President Tinubu has done what the previous Presidents of Nigeria couldn’t do for the region.
The deputy speaker also thanked the people and his constituents in particular for not protesting against the government in the ongoing Nationwide protest.
The statement said the deputy speaker used the opportunity to distribute some bags of rice and fertilizers with some cash gifts to the people to support the people in agriculture.
According to him: “It is one of our rules that when you want to join our party, you go to the grassroots. If you are a good politician, let us see your face at the ward level. So, the person we have here and the people he is coming with are well established politicians. Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe is a politician with a name. His track record is well known. From being a councillor to a presidential aspirant in PDP. He was also a deputy speaker. He’s strong politician in my constituency. So, don’t ignore him. This is a big catch.
He further explained:”What is happening today is significant. People are coming to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because they know he is the only president that is doing what others couldn’t do. He’s a man who has prioritized food insecurity. More people will join our party because they are seeing the light and they want to join our party. For 54 years, we were promised Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, yet none was fulfilled. It was President Tinubu that remembered and signed the SEDC bill into law to develop the South East. We will continue to support him”.
In his response, Ndukwe thanked the deputy speaker for coming to receive him in his Ward in Item.
He disclosed that the decision to join APC was to support President Tinubu in his concerted effort to develop the south east region in particular and the country in general.
It would be recalled that the deputy speaker had earlier visited Item Ward A made up of four villages of Apanu, Amaekpu, Amaeke, Amaokwu as well as Ward B all in Item Community where he expressed gratitude to the people for voting for him in 2023 election.
He also distributed some bags of rice and fertilizers with cash gifts to the youths, women and men groups of the community who were very happy about his home coming.
