By Danladi Umaru
Nigerians have just elected legislators at the federal and state levels. Already, there is a number of legislators-elect jostling to become principal officers, especially to become Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. However, the quality of persons chosen to lead the legislature will determine to a great extent the quality of laws, oversight activities and resolutions that will emanate from the legislative arm of government.
With the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the South-West as the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, from the North-West, it is only proper that the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives be zoned to the South East for the sake of equity, fairness and justice, thus maintaining the balance of power and sense of inclusion.
As the National Assembly begins to take form, political pundits and party leadership have commenced the search for the next Speaker. Certain qualities are perquisites for consideration. These qualities included regular attendance at legislative proceedings, experience, private sector background and public service history.
Of all members eligible for consideration, one stands out, making him the most ideal for the seat. He is Benjamin Okezie Kalu, representing Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State. Kalu is a person of high principles, well grounded in the nuances of his people, coupled with good ethics and morality.
His decisions are untainted with self-interest, bribery and corruption. He has respect for the wishes and interests of the majority of citizens.
There are reasons Kalu is the man for the job. Taking cognizance of his experience and ranking as a senior member of the lower legislative arm, Kalu’s achievements in terms of bills, motions and interventions cannot be overemphasised. He is associated with a progressive trend of thought and everyone can confirm what he stands for at any point in time.
As a member of the House of Representatives, has consistently demonstrated that he is a perfect example of what loyalty and respect for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ought to be. He has demonstrated his panache for excellent congressional leadership by the way he handles the image of the current House of Representatives under the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila.
The 10th National Assembly needs an experienced and knowledgeable Speaker with the clout and reach across the country and political divides for optimal performance. Kalu has these qualities to the highest degree. He is a loyal party man whose education, legislative experience, competence and public service record are unrivalled.
He is Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. His wealth of experience has been useful to the major committees of the house where he serves as member; Defence, Air Force, Navy, National Security and Intelligence, Agricultural Services, Health Institutions and Health Services, Basic Education, Federal Judiciary, Petroleum Upstream, Climate Change, Federal Character, Pensions and other Ad-hoc committees like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
He graduated from the University of Calabar, Cross River State, where he served as a student representative at 23 years. At 29, he served as the national chapter of the PDP in the Diaspora. He served as the youngest local government chairman of Bende, at 31.
At 34, he served as Senior Special Adviser to the then governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, on local government and chieftaincy affairs, before becoming senior special adviser on Millennium Development Goals and International Relations at 35.
Kalu started his political career in 2002 by contesting for the House of Representatives primaries and losing to Mbah Ajah. In 2011 and 2015, he contested for the House of Representatives election, representing Progressive Peoples Alliance at that time, but lost in both elections.
On February 23, 2019, Kalu, representing the ruling APC defeated Chima Anyaso of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Bende in the House of Representatives.
He received 9,138 votes, while Anyaso received 5,591 votes. Anyaso challenged the victory of Kalu citing irregularities in the election. On August 29, 2019, the tribunal dismissed the petition for lacking merit and upheld the election of Kalu.
Anyaso appealed the case at the Imo State Appeal court, Owerri. On October 28, 2019, the court upheld Kalu’s election. As a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court he has been involved in series of complex international business structuring from start-up, negotiation, pre- and post-incorporation stages.
He has been engaged in international trade, import and export financing. He has handled series of financing deals for marine vessels purchases and documentation involving syndication with multilateral finance institutions and local banks.
Before settling down for the practice of law, Kalu has built international businesses from start-up to international recognition. His negotiation skills within the public and private sector acquired through years of experience in both sectors is an advantage to the value he will create at the National Assembly.
He was the pioneer national chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in South Africa, 2001-2006; Team Leader Australia for United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ Sudan Darfur Crisis 2008-2009; Chairman, Bende LG in 2003; Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State, Local Government Affairs; Special Adviser, MDGs (2009/10); Party Candidate, Federal House of Representatives, 2011; Founder, Benjamin Kalu Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
His experience in government and governmental affairs will assist him in upholding the interdependence of the arms of the government while upholding the independence of the legislature, if elected as Speaker, House of Representatives.
•Umaru writes from Abuja