Orji Uzor Kalu: Statesmanship At A Time Like This

The events of June 13TH that surrounded the leadership election of the 10th Senate has thought us a lesson like no other, about our politics, our politicians and defined the inevitable peril that lies ahead for our young Democracy.

Had the proponents of legislative independence not deployed the arrogance of “Majority” and placed above all else the urgent need to bind the nation’s wounds, perhaps the outcome of the contest might have been different.

For those who sought to be identified as party loyalist, their ambition would be well-shelled by the ruling party’s imposition via zoning of leadership positions.

On the ballot on that faithful day were two presiding officer positions of the 10th Senate I.e The Presidency and the Deputy Presidency of the 10th Senate.

Leading up to June 13th, there were three major candidates in the contest for the Senate Presidency, namely Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State, Senator Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, and Senator Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara State.

Contesting for the Deputy Senate Presidency were Senator Jibrin Barau Niger State and Senator Isinaso of Imo State. From these five contestants emerged two groups; the Akpabio/Barau (SP/DSP) sponsored by the party or who had successfully aligned their ambitions with the party directive.

On the opposite end was the Yari/Kalu Group which sought to establish the independence of the 10th Senate and disagreed with the zoning position of the Party.

Up through the early hours of Tuesday, June 13th, we are told that Senator Orji Kalu continued to negotiate with Senator Yari and their caucus of over 70 Senators to consider his outstanding experience in the Legislative and the dire need to unify the country as he made a case for his bid to be nominated for the Senate Presidency.

The majority of the caucus who are mostly Northern Senators, relying on their strength in numbers rejected Kalu’s plea for equity. It was for this reason that Orji Kalu honorably withdrew from the contest for any presiding officer position; as was confirmed by the events of Tuesday 13th of June

The hunt of that dilemma which exposed the selfish nature of our politics and political character is the illusion of Nationhood. In an ethically diverse country that is ours, Equity must be our guiding principle.. Our moral compass.

Thumps up to Senator Orji Kalu for his statesmanship; it’s a profile in courage. We need more leaders like Orji Kalu and the APC Northern Governors who resisted the imposition of an APC Presidential candidate;

Leaders with the political wherewithal and spine to speak for Nigeria 🇳🇬 and willing to put the welfare of Nigeria 🇳🇬 above all else.