Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and prominent banker and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Marc Wabara, have praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Speaking at an event organized by Hon. Chris Nkwonta, representative of Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency, in Akwete, Kalu described the SEDC as a landmark initiative aimed at addressing the lingering effects of the Nigerian Civil War on the Igbo nation.
“The President remembered that 52 years ago, a promise was made to reconstruct and rehabilitate Igbo land devastated by the civil war. For decades, this promise was not fulfilled. President Tinubu has now fulfilled it by signing the SEDC Bill into law, ensuring the effects of the war are erased,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker expressed optimism that the SEDC would pave the way for rebuilding and developing Igbo land. He dismissed claims that President Tinubu harbors animosity toward the Igbo, noting that the President had allocated substantial funds for the commission and promised rail infrastructure across the South East.
Wabara, who served as chairman of the event, lauded Tinubu for his commitment to the region. “The SEDC is a tool through which President Tinubu seeks to address the neglect and losses suffered by the South East since the civil war,” Wabara stated.
The seasoned banker emphasized that no Nigerian leader since the war had taken such decisive steps to address the region’s grievances. He also highlighted the growing support for Tinubu’s administration in Ukwa Federal Constituency and Abia State, noting the wave of defections from opposition parties to the APC.
“Tinubu’s administration has been warmly received in Ukwa and beyond. We are committed to galvanizing more support to ensure Abia becomes an APC-controlled state by 2027,” Wabara added.
Other speakers, including Dimgba Eruba, Abia’s representative at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and APC chieftain Sylvanus Nwaji, echoed their appreciation for Tinubu and Kalu’s efforts in ensuring the Igbo feel included in national development initiatives.
The event underscored the growing optimism within the South East about the potential impact of the SEDC on addressing historical neglect and fostering regional development.
