Traditionally, like in most institutions, the recommendation for the nomination of the commissioners of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) comes from the presiding and the principal officers of the National Assembly to the president for confirmation. The slots are shared among the presiding and the principal officers. The slots are distributed following a certain tradition and according to the geopolitical zone one represents in the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively.
Hon. Nnanna Kalu could not have been any other person’s nomination except the Deputy Speaker’s who dropped Obinna Osisiogu and communicated same to the Speaker of the House and the Senate President at the guest house of the senate president in Maitama, Abuja where the meeting was held.
For Sen. Orji Kalu who at that time was struggling to include a member of his family on the board and management of the South East Development commission (SEDC) when the Deputy Speaker insisted on a balanced unbiased membership on a board that accommodates the entire south east region speak otherwise is to mislead the public.
At no time did the name of Obinna Osisiogu go to Mr. President. These lies against the President must stop. It is a show of shame to always throw up the name of the President for things that never got to him.
The Senate President in the presence of the Speaker approached the Deputy Speaker to see a way to accommodate Sen. Orji Kalu’s complaints of non inclusion and immediately, he accepted and invited Senator Kalu to the meeting where the Deputy Speaker made the formal announcement of yielding that to him to nominate. He was happy and celebrated it with a great ‘thank you’ greetings in the presence of witnesses.
He appreciated the Deputy Speaker and praised him to the high heavens. We are certain that those in that room that day will be so surprised reading all these from the same man who showed gratitude privately only to go publicly to malign who was magnanimous to him.
All other nominees on that list to the President came from the leadership of the National Assembly. Is Senator Orji Kalu a part of the leadership of the National Assembly today? The answer is no. The appointment is from the President but on the recommendation of the National Assembly leadership. I am sure those in the leadership of the National Assembly are all known to Nigerians who may want to verify this information.
The Deputy Speaker was not coerced to release his slot to Senator Orji Kalu which he gave to his younger brother and has no regret doing so but should not be dragged for his magnanimity in pursuit of self glory.
We know the tradition of appointing commissioners of the National Assembly Commission and no deceit from trouble makers will make us to accept that it was not the Deputy Speaker’s slot which he gave to OUK that he gave to his younger brother Hon Nnanna Kalu. Go and verify.
We celebrate Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker for always making sacrifices to accomodate others. Check all the people he has put in positions, not even one bears his surname or from
his family. Can you say that about a man who will want every thing for his family alone?
On Abia Airport, the disclaimer as expected was playing to the gallery and totally irrelevant to this issue except an attempt to curry pity and support. He was in Abia in front of the Minister and addressed the issue confirmed by Hon Ginger.
Thank you, Hon Benjamin Kalu. We need more nominations and appointments. As a selfless leader, whether we thank you or not, we know what you represent: the new face of people oriented leadership.
Signed:
Sir Njimogu Odinonyenfe
Sec Gen, Abia Political Elders Forum (APEF)
