Leaders and stakeholders of the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt.Hon.Nkeiruka Onyejeocha to end the ongoing media war between their camps.
The APC stakeholders and leaders who were worried about the heat and bad blood the squabble between the two federal government officials have generated among supporters of both camps, urged the Deputy Speaker and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment to ask their supporters to sheath their swords.
The stakeholders, including former Abia Central Senator and ex-pro chancellor, University of Calabar, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Senator Chris Adighije, former Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu, former Abia Assembly Speaker, Rt.Hon. Azubuike Martins and other party stakeholders reminded the duo of the need to come together and channel their energy to the growth of the party in the state.
A communiqué signed by 20 members of the party stakeholders which was issued at the end of their meeting in Umuahia, the state capital, warned of the dangers and consequences of the ongoing media war between the deputy Speaker House of Representatives and the Labour Minister would have on the party members and image of the party in the state.
The statement reads “The Abia APC stakeholders in a well-attended meeting on the 31st of October, 2023, deliberated on the not too healthy media exchanges between the camps of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who is the leader of the party in the State and Honorable Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Honorable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and as the conscience of the party pleads for a truce from them as follows: “That we appreciate and thank Mr. President for finding our son, the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu fit and worthy to occupy the 6th highest position in our nation. “That we equally appreciate Honorable Members of the 10th House of Representatives for electing the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu as their Deputy Speaker. “That our further appreciation goes to Mr. President for appointing our daughter, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha as a Member of the Federal Executive Council and Minister of State, Labour and Employment. “That these two leaders of Abia at the national stage at the moment have their jobs cut out for them.
While the Deputy Speaker is a presiding officer in the legislative arm of government, the Honorable Minister is a member of the executive arm of government. “That following from the above, we do not see anything that should breed friction between them and in their activities.
“That we urge both leaders to use their best endeavors to help Mr. President achieve the Renewed Hope agenda of his government in their respective responsibilities.
“That we further urge them to work cooperatively and collaboratively to re-position our great party in Abia State and bring it to winning ways. “We plead that peace shall henceforth reign. Please sheath your swords, no more media banters.”
