Benjamin Kalu, the House of Representatives member endorsed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Deputy Speaker in the 10th National Assembly, has unveiled the driving force behind the vision of the incoming leadership.
Dateline Nigeria reports that the ruling APC had equally endorsed Tajudeen Abbas (North West) as Speaker.
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, spoke at an interactive session with select group of editors and publishers in Abuja on Tuesday.
He explained how a group of lawmakers from different parties, under the name Joint Task, has come together decide the leadership of the House in the interest of unity and nation building.
“Joint Task is a collaboration of various political parties coming together to approach issues affecting Nigeria from from their different political ideology, to provide solution to the hydra headed needs of Nigerians at all times.
“You need to have periscopic view on issues, policy direction, legislative policy, to have a colloration that is not just tied down to one political ideology
“The solution might come from a minority party that has a better approach, better strategy, better policy architecture that will deliver the expected outcome for our country.
“So we came with this idea and said it is a Joint Task for nation building. And if you are going to build a nation, all hands must be on deck.Bring your brick, I bring my brick. The colour of your brick might be yellow, it might be red, it might be blue, but that is also reflecting the beauty of our diversity, a diversity sensitive organisation,” Kalu said.
On the fears that the National Assembly may not be independent if its leadership is influenced by the Executive, Kalu said the lawmakers will decide their own leaders, adding that in relating with the Executive or Judiciary, they will not ignore “the principles of checks and balances as well as the expectation of separation of powers.”
“The relationship with executive should be a joint task. We should not isolate the legislature from the executive and the judiciary in the effort to build a nation. But we should go with the understanding that it is a joint task between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary,” he added.
Asked whether he is prepared for the burden of leadership, he said , “Oh yes, I studied politics, and I can confidently inform you that I am above 50 years. My mates are presidents of countries around the world. Give me the office of the president today, I will run it and I will bring cohesion in this country.
“I will bring the diversity, sensitivity in leadership that will make you forget that you are an Igbo man or that you are Hausa or you are Yoruba man but you are a Nigerian. And that is what Nigeria needs now.”
Kalu also said “We are tired of all this coloration that separates us from the whole. My brother in the South East is my brother, my brother in the North is my brother. My brother in the West is my brother. That is the mentality of my generation.”
The lawmaker, who is presently the spokesman of the 9th House, said himself and Abbas have continued to consult with stakeholders to promote their vision and agenda.
