The Coalition of Youths in the South-East (CESYD) has strongly condemned attempts to undermine Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s role in establishing the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC).
CESYD Coordinator, Wisdom Akunna Fabulous in a statement during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Sunday described criticisms of Kalu as “reverse psychology” and “deep-rooted hatred.”
CESYD argued that Kalu’s efforts yielded tangible results, whereas past attempts remained stillborn.
“In Igboland, we don’t address women who suffered stillbirth as ‘Mama,’” Fabulous noted. “Only the woman who gives birth can be identified and mentioned by her children’s names. The pregnancy championed by Kalu has a name – SEDC.”
The coalition also dismissed criticisms about Kalu’s age and political experience at the time the SEDC idea was first proposed in 2016.
“The age of Methuselah has no business with the wisdom of Solomon,” Fabulous said, labelling such comments as “gerontocratic bias.”
CESYD warned “fifth columnists” seeking to hijack the SEDC for personal gain to desist, threatening to “name and shame” those attempting to deny Ndigbo the benefits of the commission.
They, however, condemned attempts to sow discord among political stakeholders in Igbo land, saying their stance aligns with the growing call for a sociopolitical renaissance in Igboland, and prioritizing progress over counterproductive age-old beliefs.