As the March 27, 2021, Aba North/South Federal Constituency bye-election draws nearer, the Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has warned the ruling party in the state, the PDP against plans to rig and use violence to truncate the will of Aba people.
According to Kalu, any attempt to do this will be resisted with maximum strength.
The former Abia governor while speaking at a caucus meeting of APC held on Thursday called on all parties in the election to eschew violence and rancour.
ABN TV reports that the Chief Whip stressed the need for the protection of voters in order to instill the confidence for them to come out and perform their civic responsibilities.
In his words “As a party, we put all in place to protect our votes, we shall make sure that the election is peaceful, free, and fair so that the mandate of the people will prevail. I implore the Youths to desist from any form of electoral malpractice like ballot snatching because it will be resisted. The people should come out emmase to vote for their preferred candidate and remain peaceful. The people must be assured that they will be protected so that they will have the confidence to perform their civic responsibilities.
“Our party will do more for the people of Aba, we shall replicate the Aba the type of developments ongoing in APC Senatorial districts, within the first year Aba people will have Ten Brand new roads, it will be on record that a Senatorial district that is not APC controlled will be having Ten need roads because they voted for our party and the people are the major beneficiaries of this projects.
“When I was Governor, I constructed so many roads in Aba some people thought I didn’t know what I was doing but I understood that this is sustainable development for our people. Because with roads our people will thrive in their economic activities.
“The election is a task for everyone, one of us it is a collective responsibility, as stakeholders we urge all the contestants and their supporters to do the right thing by ensuring the election is peaceful.”
Also speaking, the member representing Bende Federal Constituency and Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu disclosed that the party is poised in winning the election.
He further outlined the qualities of its candidate Hon. Mascot Kalu, former Chief of Staff in Abia whom he said is capable of winning the election.
He said “We need to replicate this kind of infrastructural development in Aba but ensure that we win the election. Let’s set aside sentiments I have carefully studied the major contenders in that election, and I have singled out Hon. Mascot Kalu was the best among them all.
“Being a lawmaker is not just about occupying a position; it’s all about the influence of such a personality, with all of us as lawmakers in the APC occupying major Leadership positions.
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“Hon. Mascot Kalu will be in pole position to attract various infrastructural developments to the people of Aba.
“With Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the Chief Whip and some of us occupying various leadership positions, all well-meaning Abians are expected to key into the party, because he will use his leadership influence to attract various people-oriented projects across the zone. Besides all that Hon Mascot is someone that will deliver on his mandate.
“The election is not an Abia-North APC project but a State APC project, as a party we are united and committed to winning the election, we shall mobilise the people to ensure that the election is peaceful, free, and fair.
Among the caucus members present were; Deputy Chief Whip of House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiru Onyejeocha, member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Bende North Hon Chijioke Chukwu, Minority Whip Honourable Member Representing Isuikwuato state Constituency, Hon Barrister EMEKA Okorafor; General Azubuike Ihejirika; Dr. Madukwe Ukaegbu; Abia North APC zonal chairman, Chief Chris Ajah; Rt.Hon. Prince Arua Arunsi; Dr. Chidia Maduekwe; Secretary of the Caucus, Dr. Emeka I.U. Kalu; Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbuagu among others.