- Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu celebrates Nigeria’s election to the IPU’s Executive Committee, ending a 59-year absence, and expresses gratitude
- Kalu emphasizes the opportunities this brings and congratulates President Tinubu on his Supreme Court victory
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has welcomed Nigeria’s recent election to the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), breaking a 59-year-old jinx. He expressed his appreciation for the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio as a member of the IPU’s Executive Committee.
The IPU is an international organization with 179 parliamentary members and its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Nigeria’s previous membership dated back to 1964, and its inclusion in the Executive Committee now allows the country to participate in significant global parliamentary decisions.
Deputy Speaker Kalu nominated Senator Akpabio for the position and affirmed his competence and qualifications for the role. He highlighted that Nigeria has rightfully claimed its place on the global legislative stage.
Furthermore, Kalu expressed gratitude to the international community of parliaments for electing Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the Tanzanian parliament, as the President of the Union. He emphasized that Nigeria’s inclusion in the Executive Committee will open up job opportunities for its citizens.
Kalu also acknowledged Nigeria’s support for Tulia Ackson’s candidacy for the IPU presidency and how her victory would be advantageous for the country. In addition, he congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his recent victory at the Supreme Court and encouraged his opponents to collaborate in advancing Nigeria’s economy under his “renewed hope agenda.”