Orji Kalu Withdraws From Senatorial Race, Demands Refund Of Nomination Fees


Former Abia state Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has withdrawn his senatorial ambition for Abia North senatorial district under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that Governor Theodore Orji has concluded plans to impose aspirants on members of the party in the state.

Kalu, in a letter to the PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, dated November 24, accused his successor and incumbent governor of making some influential members of the party to resign their juicy positions to contest positions under the PDP whereas the governor already had aspirants he handpicked for the PDP ticket.

The former governor however requested a refund of his nomination and expression of interest forms, noting that contrary to earlier arrangements he never went through any of the stipulated processes that leads to the emergence of candidate.

Senatorial aspirants in the PDP paid N5.5million for the purchase of the funds. The letter reads in part “ It became apparent that the Abia state governor, Chief T.A Orji wants to handpick all candidates, both into executive and legislative position. He wants to choose his own successor, fill the 24 House of Assembly seats, the eight federal constituencies and the three senatorial seats.

“Governor Orji knew ahead of time that he had a candidate in mind but deliberately allowed eminent Abia citizens like Dr. Alex Otti, GMD of Diamond Bank to resign from his lofty position when he should have advised him to remain there.

“He also allowed Chief Emeka Wogu, minister of labour to resign and lose Abia slot in the Federal Executive Council and other ministerial committees; he equally allowed two Senators: Nkechi Nwogu and Enyinnaya Abaribe to pick gubernatorial forms when he should have advised them to go for re-election in the Senate.”

“I find all these very disturbing. When Governor Orji was to be elected the first time in 2007, everyone knew where I stood three years before then that he was my anointed candidate. There was absolutely no ambiguity unlike now that he has allowed these people to lose their positions and resources chasing shadows. It is quite obvious that Governor Orji’s plan is to bring everybody down.”

This one thinks he has made some sense?

Shame on all of you! So, that's how powerful T. Orji has become? I weep for my dear state.

So sorry, OUK. Your own anointed candidate is the one treating you this way!