Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu: A Courageous Voice for South East~By Mazi Onyeani Kalu

In Abia yesterday, October 3, 2025, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (CFR), Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, once again proved why he is not just a politician but a true statesman.

He spoke boldly, with clarity, and with the kind of conviction that only comes from a leader who genuinely understands the aspirations of his people and the responsibilities of nation-building.

When he raised the critical issues of a functional seaport in the South East, as well as, the protection of properties and businesses belonging to the Igbo people across Nigeria, it was more than just a speech, it was a defining moment. It was captivating, authoritative, and above all, reassuring. For many, it felt like the long-awaited breaking of the proverbial camel’s back.

At last, a leader has spoken with the courage that others have often lacked.

For too long, our Governors and political elites have shied away from boldly demanding a seaport for the South East, as though such a request were too heavy a burden for the Federal Government to bear. Deputy Speaker Kalu has proven otherwise. He has shown that asking for what is right, just, and fair for our region does not make the heavens fall, as some timid voices have always feared. Instead, it sets the tone for dialogue, development, and justice.

This is the kind of leadership the South East has been yearning for, a leadership that does not whisper in closed rooms but speaks truth to power in the open, with courage and authority. Benjamin Kalu embodies this spirit. He has not only raised the expectations of Ndi Igbo but also reminded the entire nation that equity and fairness remain the bedrock of unity.

Indeed, in Benjamin Kalu, we have found a leader who carries the hopes of his people with dignity and strength. His voice yesterday was not just the voice of Abia; it was the voice of the entire South East, and indeed, the voice of justice within Nigeria’s democratic space.

Thank you, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for speaking out when it mattered most. Nigeria needs more leaders like you.

Your Ever Well Wisher
Mazi Onyeani Kalu
The GrandMaster
Political Scientist