By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has emphasized the need for the South East region of the country to align decisively with the centre.
He made the call while unveiling the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP), a multipurpose vehicle aimed at realizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State.
Kalu said that RHP will play a crucial role in translating the national achievements of the President Tinubu administration into regional gains. The Deputy Speaker highlighted an array of legacies the President has recorded in the South East particularly and Nigeria at large in the last two years, assuring the people of more dividends of democracy from the present government.
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“As we approach the midpoint of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure, the South East must align decisively with the centre. The Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) is a formidable vehicle that is demonstrating our seriousness for this cause by translating the national achievements of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration into regional gains, and by delivering the majority of votes in the South East geopolitical zone for our dear President in 2027,” Kalu stated.
The Deputy Speaker explained that RHP will launch “Renewed Hope Councils” in all South East LGAs, linked to South East Development Commission (SEDC) outreach teams to turn policy wins into grassroots programs. “We will launch “Renewed Hope Councils” in all South East LGAs, linked to SEDC outreach teams, turning policy wins into grassroots programs. Align each of the seven pillars with local town-hall campaigns, ensuring every citizen sees the direct benefits of President Tinubu’s agenda,” he said.
Kalu highlighted the achievements of the President Tinubu’s administration, including attracting proposed investments worth $50.8 billion, doubling aggregate national revenues to over ₦9.1 trillion in H1 2024, and achieving a GDP growth rate of 3.4% in 2024. He added that the government has recorded a significant increase in foreign remittances, with an estimated $23.4 billion received, representing a 61.1% year-on-year increase.
“In 2024, Nigeria experienced a significant increase in foreign remittances, with an estimated $23.4 billion received. This substantial growth, exceeding $4.22 billion through International Money Transfer Operators between January and October, represents a 61.1% year-on-year increase,” Kalu stated.
The Deputy Speaker also recalled the Compressed Natural Gas initiative, saying it will save over ₦2 trillion per month in petrol imports. “The Compressed Natural Gas initiative will save over ₦2 trillion per month in petrol imports. One million low-cost conversion kits are currently being distributed,” he said.
Kalu emphasized that the re-commencement of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor, will ultimately link Aba and Onitsha hubs to northern markets, unlocking ₦50 billion in annual trade throughput. He also underscored the importance of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), established in July 2024, with a constituted board and executive management team.
The Deputy Speaker appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize several high-impact interventions, including constructing key gas pipeline infrastructure across the South East, supporting capacity expansions at the AHL and ANOH plants in Imo State, and dredging and rehabilitating the Onitsha River.
“To leverage the South East’s comparative strengths and fast-track President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government can seize the following high-impact interventions to accelerate the construction of key gas pipeline infrastructure across the South East to spur industrialization in Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Anambra states