Ben Kalu, the selected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Deputy Speaker position in the upcoming 10th National Assembly, has defended the party’s decision to allocate the role to the South-East geopolitical zone. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, believes that including the South-East in key positions is crucial to prevent a repeat of the poor voter turnout the party experienced in the zone during the 2027 elections.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Kalu emphasized the importance of prioritizing national unity, peace, and progress over sentiments and emotions in nation-building efforts. He argued that neglecting the South-East in positions of influence, as was the case in the past four years, has had negative consequences, including an impact on electoral outcomes. Kalu asserted that failure to include the South-East in such significant positions would pose a significant risk for future political strategies.
Kalu expressed confidence that adopting an inclusive approach from the outset would yield better results for the party. In the recently announced zoning arrangement by the APC for the 10th National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio from the South-South was selected for the position of Senate President, while Barau Jibrin from the North-West was chosen for Deputy Senate President. In the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas from the North-West was picked for the Speakership position, with Ben Kalu as his deputy.
However, the APC’s zoning arrangement has faced criticism from several lawmakers, particularly those from the North-Central region who feel marginalized in the overall allocation of leadership positions.
