Dr. Josef Onoh has criticized Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for claiming credit for the South East Development Commission (SEDC), calling it an insult to the South East region.
Onoh argues that the commission’s creation was primarily due to President Bola Tinubu and the collective efforts of lawmakers, not Kalu’s individual actions. He asserts that attributing the achievement solely to Kalu undermines the collaborative nature of the project and detracts from the broader contributions of many involved.
Onoh dismissed as “ridiculous” the efforts by unnamed individuals to promote what he termed a misleading narrative about Kalu’s involvement. He recalled that during his campaign, Tinubu had promised to address the lack of federal government presence in the South East by creating a commission to ensure a strong federal footprint and fast-track development in the region.
“Tinubu asked Governor Hope Uzodinma to coordinate with other South East governors to discuss the region’s challenges, with a commitment to confront these if he won the election,” Onoh stated. Attendees at the meeting included Tinubu, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Dave Umahi, Dr. Josef Onoh, and Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu.
Onoh also highlighted the legislative efforts to establish the SEDC, which began in the 8th Assembly with Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s bill in 2016. The bill saw its first reading in June 2017 and was reintroduced by Senator Stella Odua in November 2019, passing the National Assembly, though it was not signed into law by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
He emphasized that the establishment of the SEDC was a collective effort, involving multiple members of the National Assembly, not a singular achievement of Kalu. Onoh added, “The South East Development Commission Bill was not an achievement of Hon Benjamin Kalu as he has claimed; it was the result of cooperation among all members of the National Assembly, with significant credit due to the president.”
Onoh criticized the attempts to credit the SEDC’s success solely to Kalu, contrasting it with the passage of other regional development acts like the Nigeria Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act and the North East Development Act (NEDC), which were recognized as collective efforts without any individual taking sole credit.
He expressed his disappointment over the politicization of the SEDC, stating, “It is absurd for one person in the lower chamber of the National Assembly to assume glory for this achievement. At this time, all hands should be on deck to revitalize Nigeria’s economy rather than engaging in unnecessary political games.”
Onoh called on all elected politicians to focus on supporting the president in addressing the nation’s economic challenges rather than seeking personal recognition.
