APC Stakeholders Sue For Truce Between Kalu, Onyejeocha’s Camps

Leaders and stakeholders of the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the camps of Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt.Hon.Nkeiruka Onyejeocha to end the ongoing media war between their respective camps.

The APC stakeholders and leaders who were apparently worried about the heat and bad blood the squabble between the two federal government officials have generated among supporters of both camps, rising from a meeting in the state, 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 among other party stakeholders reminded the duo of the need for them 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, they warned on 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 read “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.

“That as the conscience of the party in the State, we urge them to call their foot soldiers to order and refrain from further media engagements against each other but rather leverage on the Stakeholders forum to iron out any misgivings if and whenever it arises.

“That the Stakeholders and or selected leaders therefore will engage the Deputy Speaker and the Honorable Minister as soon as possible in furtherance to achieving a more lasting working relationship and to engender peace and cordiality in Abia APC.

“That the Stakeholders Forum pledges our continued unflinching and undiluted support to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC leader in Abia, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and the Honorable Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

“We plead that peace shall henceforth reign. Pls sheath your swords, no more media banters.”