A prominent advocacy group supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has publicly commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for his role in fostering a peaceful holiday season in Nigeria's South East region.
Coalition Hails Marked Improvement in Festive Security
The Renewed Hope Coalition specifically praised the impact of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative spearheaded by Deputy Speaker Kalu. According to the group, this project was a significant factor in the relatively calm and secure atmosphere experienced during the 2025 Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Comrade Emmanuel Okoro, the National Coordinator of the Coalition, highlighted the stark contrast with previous years. He noted that the recent festive period was free from the fear, tension, and disruptive sit-at-home orders that had plagued the region in the past, allowing families to travel and reunite safely.
The Non-Kinetic Approach of PISE-P
In a statement issued in Enugu State on Sunday, January 4, 2025, Okoro attributed the positive development to PISE-P's focus on dialogue and socio-economic programs. He emphasized the project's non-kinetic strategy, which aims to address the root causes of instability without relying exclusively on military force.
"Unlike in the past, when fear and tension dominated the festive period due to unrest, this year's Yuletide has been remarkably calm," Okoro stated. "We attribute this positive development largely to the non-kinetic approach of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), convened by the Deputy Speaker."
Calls for Sustained Momentum and Political Alignment
The pro-Tinubu group used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders in the South East to sustain the current peace and support initiatives like PISE-P. Furthermore, Okoro urged continued backing for President Bola Tinubu's transformative leadership.
This commendation comes shortly after Deputy Speaker Kalu made headlines for publicly inviting Abia State Governor Alex Otti to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and leave the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections. Kalu made the call during his annual Renewed Town Hall Meeting and Christmas Food Distribution, clarifying that his gesture was not a declaration of governorship ambition.
The statement from the Renewed Hope Coalition serves to underscore the perceived successes of a political ally's project while framing it within the broader narrative of the Tinubu administration's impact. It contrasts the current situation with the region's recent troubled history, which has seen high-profile kidnappings and killings, including those of political figures like Ahmed Gulak and Chike Akunyili.
