Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has encouraged aspirants within the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to lose hope if they fail to secure party tickets during the forthcoming primaries.
Kalu spoke during the APC Stakeholders Meeting in Umuahia, where he shared his personal political journey as a lesson in patience, perseverance, and faith.
According to him, he waited for 17 years before eventually emerging as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, despite facing repeated disappointments and political obstacles.
“I waited 17 years, and I did not die. Today, I am the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker disclosed that there were several occasions when circumstances seemed unfavorable to his political ambition, but he remained steadfast and hopeful.
“Every time, there was always a reason why I should not go. But today, God, whose hand controls power, has restored all the years I lost,” he stated.
Kalu urged aspirants who may not emerge victorious during the primaries not to feel abandoned or rejected, insisting that political success often comes with patience and timing.
“If it is not your turn today, tomorrow, or the next tomorrow, do not feel forsaken. Your own time will come, and when it comes, you will not lose anything,” he encouraged.
He noted that not everyone can occupy political positions simultaneously, adding that some individuals may need to wait while others take their turn.
The Deputy Speaker appealed to party members to remain loyal to the APC regardless of the outcome of the primaries, emphasizing that unity and long-term commitment remain essential for political success.
