A socio-political group under the auspices of Political Movement Alliance has backed former governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ahead of the 2023 Presidential contest, describing him as the most qualified, cosmopolitan Igbo leader to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
The leadership of the group is drawn from 36 state coordinators and the FCT insists that it is unfair for another ethnic nationality to rule Nigeria aside from the Igbo.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday during its monthly convention, the group maintains that among other qualified Igbo sons to rule Nigeria, Sen. Kalu, a successful businessman, and lawmaker is the most qualified.
In a communique signed by the National Secretary of the group, Comr. Akinpelumi Bode, maintains that it will amount to injustice and unfairness to deny the Igbos the opportunity to produce the next President in 2023, having ruled for the country only six months out of 61 years of existence as an independent nation.
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Comrade Bode urged political parties especially the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone its ticket to the Southeast region in the spirit of nationhood, equity, fairness, and justice.
He stressed that for Nigeria to heal from the scars of the civil war of 1967 a Nigerian president of South-East extraction was needed to lead the country in 2023.
According to Comrade Bode, record has it that since 61 years of Independence, Northerners have ruled for 43 years, the South West have ruled for 12 and half years, the South-South for 6 years.
He said, the Igbos have stood behind the election of several Nigerian leaders from different tribes in times past. While also noting that when the late Moshood Abiola ran for Presidency in 1993 all Nigerians, Igbos inclusive, set aside every form of sentiments, caring less about religion, tribe, or culture to support his Presidential ambition. Now the group expects Nigerians to stand by the Southeast in their quest for presidency.
Declaring their support for Senator Orji Kalu the party faithful articulated that the former Governor’s political and entrepreneurship characteristics align with the yearnings of the kind of leadership Nigeria needs in 2023.
The Nat’l sec of the group expressed that in 2023, Nigeria needs a detribalised leader with national and international contacts who would consolidate on the infrastructural gains of the current Buhari administration but most importantly better manage the country’s diversity, retool the economy, and deal conclusively with insecurity.
“The next President of Nigeria asides from being a detribalised Politician should be an accomplished successful business entrepreneur and should have verifiable successful local and international business empires which he has established over the years.
“Using the aforementioned as a yardstick, if we are, to be honest serving Senator Orji Kalu is the most of the accomplished among other business executives who ventured into politics and he as successfully transitioned to become a successful political leader having also governed Abia State twice as Chief executive and made iconic blueprints as the governor of the God’s own state of Abia, Comrade Bode said.”
The group described Kalu as qualified in all ramifications having served at both the legislative and executive arms of government.
The group stated further that the former Governor is a symbol of national unity being well acquainted with highly placed persons in the political landscape across the country.
Outlining his business establishments Akinpelumi maintained that Kalu’s unrivalled experience in the world of business will come in handy to solve the Nation’s economic problems via Job and wealth creation.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu represents the face of a United Nigeria, tolerant, upright, very disciplined, and accomplished businessman.
“As Governor, within less than six months of assuming office, he introduced life impactful projects through the construction of schools, hospitals, two stadiums, and major roads across the state particularly Umuahia and Aba. This feat earned Kalu the nickname: “Action Governor.”
“During Kalu’s era as Abia State Governor, salaries and wages were paid on or before 25th of every month, education was free, primary health was free, unemployment was low and above all, the state was adequately secured.”
“Under his administration, the Enyimba Football Club of Aba won the Confederation of African Football Champions League in 2003 and 2004. The team was managed by Kalu, a sports enthusiast, who also developed and encouraged sports development at the grassroots, Akinpelumi stated.”
Comrade Bode in his statement also mentioned the achievements of the ninth Senate within his first time as a Senator.
He said “We also followed OUK’s many interventionist motions and bills at the Ninth Senate within just two years. He also rolled out human-impacting infrastructure projects in his constituency. This earned him the Prestigious Senate Award On “Constituency Development” among other notable awards.
Aside from the numerous infrastructure works put in his Abia-North constituency, below are the list of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s bills and Motions at the National Assembly in line with his Legislative agenda aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians and strengthening the tenets of the Nation’s Democracy.
While urging political parties to zone their Presidential ticket to the Southeast, the group also informed it has established offices in all the 36 States and in days to come will roll out it’s campaign mobilisation strategies for Orji Uzor Kalu.
