The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders has rejected the position of deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, which was purportedly micro-zoned to the South-East.
The group also commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, for rejecting the position.
Politics Nigeria reports that the President-General, Goodluck Ibem and the Publicity Secretary, Okey Nwaoru, said that southeasters support the position of Ohanaeze.
Part of the statement read:
“We deem it very insulting, contemptuous, demeaning and most undignifying for the member representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, Benjamin Kalu, for betraying the collective interest of Ndigbo at a time like this by accepting the position of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, which, by our ranking, is the seventh position in the hierarchy of office and position of power in the nation.
“This singular act by Kalu is reproachful, and we condemn it in its entirety. For emphasis, we ask: Are the Igbo now ranked seventh in population and contribution to national growth, economic advancement and development?
“Are the Igbo now the seventh largest ethnic group in the nation that spoils sharing will eliminate and consign them to the abyss of nothingness?
“The zoning formula Kalu is standing on today, simply because it favours him and him alone, renders the post-war ‘three Rs of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation’ a ruse in light of present circumstance.”
According to them, Ndigbo deserves and asks for more and shall not settle for less.
Hon Kalu, the spokesman of the 9th House of Representatives, had been picked by the ruling All Progressives Congress as the party’s favourite for the deputy Speaker position.
