Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the Igbo people of the Southeast will no longer remain on the sidelines of national politics as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.
Kalu stated this during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, where he emphasized that it was time for the Southeast to take its rightful place in Nigeria’s political and developmental conversation.
According to him, the era of political isolationism in the region is over, as the Igbos are now determined to align with the centre of power where key decisions about the nation’s progress are made.
“Igbo will not sit on the fence in 2027,” Kalu said. “We won’t sit on the fence when the issue of politics is being discussed at the centre. This is the time to be at the centre because it is those at the centre who know when issues of development are being decided.”
The Deputy Speaker explained that staying detached from national politics had deprived the region of developmental opportunities and strategic advantages. He urged the people of Abia and the Southeast at large to become active participants in the political process leading up to the next elections.
“When you sit on the fence, everything would have been concluded before you jump in,” Kalu cautioned. “This is what I have been telling Abia people not to sit on the fence or we risk missing out on the moving train. Why is it that Abia is moving backward when other states are moving forward?”
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, expressed confidence that greater political engagement from the Southeast would translate into increased development, inclusion, and equity for the region.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented infrastructural investment and inclusive appointments in the Southeast since assuming office. According to him, the president’s gestures have opened new doors of cooperation and trust between the region and the Federal Government.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated goodwill to the Southeast through his infrastructural projects and appointments,” Kalu said. “We must reciprocate this by working together and participating actively in national politics. Development comes when there is mutual trust and collaboration.”
The Deputy Speaker also praised the Renewed Hope Initiative a social intervention program championed by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu describing it as a timely and practical effort to empower local communities and women across Nigeria. He said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of inclusive growth and economic empowerment.
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“The Renewed Hope Initiative brings practical solutions to ordinary Nigerians,” Kalu noted. “This project represents the president’s commitment to rebuilding trust between government and citizens. The Southeast must embrace it fully and ensure that no one is left behind.”
He further urged Abia residents to unite behind a common developmental vision, emphasizing that internal divisions and political apathy would only hinder progress. Kalu called for collaboration between traditional leaders, political actors, and civil society groups to harness the region’s potential.
“The 2027 elections will be a defining moment for Ndigbo,” he said. “We have the capacity, the talent, and the willpower to shape the future. But to do that, we must be united and proactive. Let’s stop waiting on the sidelines it’s time to drive the process.”
The event attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders across Abia State who echoed Kalu’s call for the Southeast to deepen its engagement with national governance. Many lauded the Deputy Speaker for his advocacy and for serving as a bridge between the region and the Federal Government.
With the 2027 polls drawing nearer, Kalu’s remarks signal a renewed political awakening in the Southeast one aimed at transforming regional participation into tangible national influence.