Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu: rise of a political star

By Mary Ikoku

Something truly remarkable is happening in the South-East, and it began on the first day of this month in Bende Local Government Area, Abia State.

The Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) was inaugurated with over 20,000 members, marking a significant step in mobilizing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Renewed Hope Partners aims to deepen engagement and carry the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda to every ward and polling unit in the state and the entire South-East region. The man behind this first-of-its-kind programme in the region is none other than Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu CFR representing Bende Federal Constituency, someone whose career in politics has been on the upswing. This initiative not only underscores Kalu’s commitment to the agenda but also highlights his growing influence in Nigerian politics.

At the ceremony, Hon. Benjamin Kalu reminded members that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda “is not just a slogan, but a comprehensive blueprint for Nigeria’s progress.” He urged them to see themselves as “grassroots ambassadors of progress,” mandated to deepen engagement and carry the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda to every ward and polling unit in the state. According to him, “The Renewed Hope Agenda is a call to action, and we must work tirelessly to ensure its success.” This is not just another political slogan or empty promise. Kalu knows what he is talking about. If anything, his political career is built on solid foundations.

If anything, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s star is rising and shining ever so brightly, and you wonder if he was the same person elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives only two years ago. Not that he was a nobody back then. Prior to becoming the Deputy Speaker, his career in public service started at a relatively young age, 21, as National President of the PDP Diaspora chapter. Then, at 32, he became the youngest chairman ever of Bende Local Government Area, Abia State. Under former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s administration,  he held two key roles: Senior Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (2007-2009) and Senior Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals and International Relations (2009-2010).

It is only natural that after his spell as council chair in his local government, SSA in his state government, Benjamin Kalu should angle for higher political office, possibly nationally. He did but lost in the primaries the first time he made a stab for House of Reps in 2002. He failed again in 2011 and 2015 as a PDP candidate. Undaunted by those setbacks, Benjamin Kalu won in 2019 under his new party All Progressives Congress representing Bende Federal Constituency. Despite the wave of LP-inspired tsunami reordering the political configuration of Abia state during the 2023 elections leading to an LP governor-elect, Alex Otti, Benjamin Kalu won re-election as an APC candidate. That, alone, says much for a man whose political career is not only built on a solid foundation in his natal state but clearly on the rise on the national stage.

To be sure, becoming Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives requires some political heft and solid support base. He had both – resulting in his unanimous election by members of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly. Benjamin Kalu was spokesperson for the lower chamber all through when Hon Femi Gbajabiamila was Speaker and he gave a good account of himself, something the very person now Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never forgot. In his new role, he is not doing badly at all, which is why his colleagues in the house have never regretted their choice ever since, starting with the presiding officer himself, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. 13 months ago, Abbas not only warmly wished Kalu the very best on the occasion of his 53rd birthday but also acknowledged him as “a worthy and dependable partner.”

Of course, discerning analysts know when politicians speak from both sides of the mouth. But that birthday wish from Speaker Abbas for his deputy was nothing of such. Nor did it come across as the obligatory extension of goodwill to colleagues, friends, or family on such special days. It was something straight from the heart. And he meant every word of it. Continuing, Abbas described Kalu as “one Nigerian who deserves to be celebrated for his commitment, dedication, and zeal to nation-building… He has been giving me all the necessary support in piloting the affairs of the House. I am quite thrilled by his good qualities. His contributions are worthy of commendation. He is an ally who shares my vision for the 10th House and the nation as a whole.”

None other than the APC party leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself lauded the same patriotic credentials and actions of the second in command of the lower house. It was last May when Benjamin Kalu turned 54. President Tinubu commended his commitment to national development and progress. In his birthday greetings, Tinubu described the lawmaker from Abia state as “a seasoned parliamentarian who has demonstrated outstanding legislative acumen and commitment since his election in 2019 to represent Bende Federal Constituency.”

Apart from the vote of confidence in the lawmaker that presidential endorsement underscores, it also shows the synergy between the Executive and Legislature arms of government: no acrimonious trade-off or petty jealousies and rivalries that characterised one or two previous administrations even though they were in the same party. But for the current Presidency and Legislature, it is a different ball game entirely. Translation?

Both arms are in synch, working assiduously to make Nigeria a better country, as PBAT so glowingly put it in his birthday greetings. He acknowledged the Deputy Speaker’s role in enacting transformative laws such as the Student Loan Act of 2024, the Nigerian Start-up Act of 2022, and the South East Development Commission Act.

As spokesperson for the lower chamber under Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila’s leadership,  Benjamin Kalu excelled  Speaker in his role, earning the respect of the current Chief of Staff to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his new role, he is not doing badly at all, which is why his colleagues in the house have never regretted their choice ever since.

Neither has his immediate constituency. The Presidency has also given a thumbs-up for Benjamin Kalu’s performance not only as a lawmaker but as a dependable ally. For instance, in the same month, the RHP was inaugurated in Abia, PBAT signed into law Kalu’s Bills establishing three tertiary institutions in Abia and  Imo states. They are Federal College of Education and Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Bende and Item Bende, respectively. The third, Federal University Okigwe, is in Imo state.

The institutions aim to provide quality education, research opportunities, and cater to the educational needs of the South East region. In addition, the schools “will also carry out research in the development and adaptation of techniques, provide high-quality medical education and training to students, including undergraduate and graduate programs in various health-related fields; conducting research in
medical sciences, health policy, and healthcare delivery to advance knowledge and improve health outcomes.”

A gracious gentleman, Benjamin Kalu expressed his thanks not only to Mr President for signing the bills into law but also to the Senate, his colleagues in the lower chamber, and Nigerians for their “profound support.”

In the lawmaker’s reckoning, signing the bills into law is in tandem with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which is already yielding tangible results in the South East Above all, the institutions mark “a significant milestone in promoting education and development in the region.”

Moreover,  Benjamin Kalu’s commitment to improving individual lives is evident in his recent visit to cross River,  where he awarded scholarships up to university level to two orphaned twins,  Chidera Emmanuela Maduka and Chimankpa Emmanuel Maduka.  Without parental support,  these 12- year- old twins would have faced significant challenges. They would most certainly have been at the mercy of capricious nature. The DS has now stepped in to alter their destiny. He was accompanied by some of his colleagues in the House, an APC heavyweight Johnbosco Onunkwo from Anambra state, members of Peace In South East Project, his classmates of ’98 set from the University of Calabar where he was a guest lecturer on the institution’s convocation. Benjamin Kalu was literally over the moon when the twin sisters said they wanted to study law. A lawyer himself, the DS chose to sponsor them up to university, tuition, board, and whatever they’ll need to realise their ambition. Of course, after his visit, theorphanagee was several million naira richer along with food items donated by his entourage.

“I’m here with my classmates from University of Calabar, and my colleagues from the National Assembly to show our love and support to you,” Benjamin Kalu told the excited children and their equally excited minders during his visit. “We will take over the training of Chidera and her twin to university level. I’m happy and proud they want to study law. We will support them. We will pay your school fees… The people you’re seeing here are your fathers and mothers. We are going to appoint a committee that will be taking care of you.”

In addition to his legislative work,  Benjamin Kalu has also initiated projects aimed at promoting peace and sporting vulnerable groups in the South- East.  For instance,  the Peace in South East Project seeks to restore peace in the region,  while the Peace Fund  provides support to Widows  and families of security personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty in every state in the South- East. Aside from that, he’s also sponsored Bills for more women inclusion in political offices.

If by chance you looked through the Order Paper of the 10th National Assembly showing every member’s Bill tally, Benjamin Kalu had 90 Bills to his credit from June 2023 to May 2024 on Security, Education, Environment, Constitutional alteration, Technology and Innovation. 64.4 per cent of them are awaiting 2nd reading, 21.1 per cent awaiting report/ consideration, while 12.2 per cent have been passed by the House for Senate consideration. 1.1 per cent have been signed into law, and another 1.1 percent adjourned. That’s not a bad score card for the DS in just two years.

Those who know Benjamin Kalu closely say that is his style: a hands-on approach to getting things done and then moving on to tackle the next project.

Talking about projects, there are so many of them – blocks of classrooms and offices, stretches of tarred roads, health centres – in Alayi, Bende, Igbere and Item wards begun and completed in just two years of being DS. No wonder some of the expiring old political war horses in Abia state are becoming grumpier by the minute. It is not hard to see why: Benjamin Kalu has achieved so much in infrastructure development in such a short time in Abia that some of his traducers today could not achieve in four times as many years.

While that is debatable, it is clear that Benjamin Kalu’s focus now is basically not only in bringing as many projects as possible to his immediate constituency but to the entire South-East region. The RHP is one. Another is the SEDC Act he helped midwife. Anyone can imagine the economic potential to the region once it becomes fully operational.

In his traditional Igbo attire, complete with the red bob hat or in tie and jacket and fancy-framed spectacles, Benjamin Kalu reminds you of the new breed of dynamic politicians anxious to get things going – passing bills in the House, erecting a community health centre, bringing the dividends of democracy right to the doorstep of his people in particular and Nigerians in general. From all indications, this is just the beginning for a politician whose star will keep shining brighter in the foreseeable future.

Is it any surprise PBAT upgraded his national award from CON last October to CFR this June?

Just this week, Benjamin Kalu attended a high profile meeting of the European Parliament in Brussels, Switzerland, where he made a strong case for inclusion of Nigeria and the African continent for shared prosperity globally.
“The time for rhetoric is over,” Benjamin Kalu told his audience. “We need concrete action that reflects a true partnership of equals. Nigeria and, indeed, Africa is ready. We ask the EU to join us in building this shared, prosperous future.”

It is the same prosperous future Benjamin Kalu envisages for Bende Federal Constituency, the South-East and Nigeria. Evaluating the lawmaker’s contributions so far, a public affairs analyst  commented thusly recently: “His leadership philosophy is targeted at the critical Infrastructure that reaches the neglected, education that empowers the voiceless and legislation that fills the gap created by injustice, exclusionism, and balance in infrastructure.”

He couldn’t have been more correct. As this analysis aptly
Captures, Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s leadership is a testament to his commitment to creating positive change in Nigeria. With his continued efforts,  the future looks bright for this rising star in Nigerian politics.