₦airaland Forum

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) to reveal the zoning formula of the party ahead of the 2023 primary elections.

This was even as he revealed that he would only run for the office of the president if the party zones it to the Southeast.

The former Governor of Abia State, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the revelation has become extremely important as it will help to direct aspirants on the right path to follow and in accordance with the demands of the party.

Kalu, in the statement he personally signed on Sunday, noted that the pattern used in conducting the last party convention was commendable and should be emulated in future contests in the party.

Kalu said: “As the presidential primary election approaches, the issue of zoning is once again central and, as usual, contentious. The party is gearing towards making forms available for different elective positions and it is important that the party, as a matter of urgency, reveal her zoning plans for intending aspirants.

“The zoning of offices is very important as it will not only shown light on the path of contenders, but also save the party from unnecessary disagreements and litigations after primaries.

“My earlier calls and that of other political leaders, stakeholders, opinion moulders, amongst others for the need of sensitivity to the Southeast region that have been excluded from the presidency should be a concern to all well meaning Nigerians with conscience.

“The year 2023 is really a good time to tweak our democratic experiment and create everlasting history in such a way that shows sensitivity to the country’s cultural uniqueness and make all regions feel a sense of belonging. It is time to strengthen the unity of the country by making a Southeasterner president of Nigeria. There is absolutely no better time for it than now.

“In our country today, having built a formidable spread across regions, I consider myself the most de-tribalised Nigerian with rich experience in economy, business, politics, security and sports to lead the people and manage the economy. I shall be running for the office of the president if the party zones it to the Southeast.

“However, in the absence of the zoning to the Southeast, I understand the supremacy of the party and shall abide by the decision of the party.” The Senate Chief Whip said

On the unity of the country, Kalu encouraged Nigerians to do away with tribalism and all factors that prevent the achievement of national unity in Nigeria.

“Despite that Nigeria is facing serious challenges in the maintenance of security and national unity, we should understand that we are made to stay together as a society. I believe in the unity of this country because we are better as one.

“If the potentials of the citizens of the country are adequately harnessed, we will see more reasons to embrace each other and win together. We are therefore required to stand strong and forget all other factors such as tribalism, hatred among the other factors that prevent the achievement of national security and unity in Nigeria,” Kalu stated.

Following the loss of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the Black Stars of Ghana in the second leg of World Cup qualifier game in Abuja on Tuesday, Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Kalu has has called on the federal government to immediately sack the management team of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Ghana ended Nigeria's dream of securing a slot at the Qatar World Cup 2022 by holding the Nigerian side, Eagles to a 1-1 draw at MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.

Reacting to the loss, Sen. Kalu, former Governor of Abia State said it was a sad day for lovers of sports in the country.

In a Facebook post, he said Nigerians have been patient enough in the past five years with the poor performance of the Eagles, calling for a new management team that will bring the desired results.

He said, "What a sad night for all soccer lovers . It is high time the entire management of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) become overhauled . In the past five years , we have been patient with incompetence in what we should be the best.

"The reality is that football is same with science courses like Medicine and Engineering where you can’t cut corners , otherwise you produce quack and incompetent people.

"The Federal Government and Nigerians have supported the NFF beyond measures and since they can’t give us the needed results, they should be sacked for a better and more tactical management."

A governorship hopeful in Abia State on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Sir Chikwe Udensi has said the arrest and quizzing of the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is not extraordinary.

He said the when leaders hold positions of authority, it is important to account for their deeds while in the office.

Featuring on Open Parliament, a radio programme on Love FM Umuahia streamed live on ABN TV and Radio on Wednesday, Sir Udensi who belongs to the same political family with Obiano said accountability is an integral part of public office.

"I think that is important especially when you listen to his successor, Prof. Charles Soludo who said the treasury is empty, that he inherited less than N300m in cash and a debt of N100bn.

"I'm in shock myself. I am an APGA chieftain but I do not condone any form of impropriety, any kind of dishonesty.

"So if he has been invited to account for the days he has been there as governor, he has to do it.

"When his predecessor Peter Obi was leaving there, we were told there is a cash in the treasury to the tune of $150m, N78bn in the account of State government and there was nobody owed one penny. That is what we were told.

"What the EFCC is probably asking him is, hey! account for your eight years in office. I don't see anything wrong with that.

"Anybody who holds a position of authority, must have to tell how he used it and ensure he is accountable to the people when the time comes and when the need arises" he said.

Recall that hours after he handed over power to Prof. Charles Soludo, the immediately past governor, Obiano was arrested at Lagos airport while attempting to flee to London.

Though he has been granted bail by the EFCC, he spent the weekend in detention answering questions that border on the utilisation of the state's funds.

As the leadership debacle in Abia APC continues, leader of the party in the state and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has appealed to aggrieved members of the party not to defect but remain committed to the growth of the party.

According to the Abia former Governor and Senator representing Abia North, the future of the South East region is in the ruling APC, insisting that the majority will have their way.

He was responding to alleged plans by key leaders of the APC in Abia to dump the party following the parallel leadership the party is experiencing.

The national leadership of the party allegedly handed the control of the Abia State chapter to Ikechi Emenike through the backdoor, a move that has not gone down well with a majority of the members.

Even though the Hon. Donatus Nwankpa-led faction insists that it is the authentic leadership of Abia APC, fears of uncertainty have beclouded the minds of key leaders in the party as the race for 2023 election draws nearer.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sen. Kalu said the new electoral Act as Amended has made it impossible for one man to win election, urging members to remain faithful to the party.

He said, "In today’s politics of Nigeria , the future of the South East geopolitical zone is in the All Progressives Congress (APC ). This is why I have continued to encourage all members of the APC in Abia state to remain in the party and forget about jumping ship.

"The reality is that In every democratic setting, the majority will always have their way. In addition, the signing of the new electoral act by President Muhammadu Buhari has also assured Nigerians that one man can't win elections.

"Those who believe in the party and Mr President are encouraged to remain faithful to the party and support the growth of the party across the board. I am pleading with my brothers and sisters who are passing through difficult moments to be patient. It may be rough today but not the same tomorrow".

At least two police officers were on Sunday killed by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its Eastern Security Network, ESN during an attack at Isu police division.

The attackers were said to have come in their numbers at about 11:30pm with at least two Toyota Sienna Buses, a Toyota Camry Car, and unspecified number of motorcycles when they launched the attack at the station from the rear axis.

At the station which had no perimeter fencing, the attackers according to PPRO of Imo State police command, CSP Michael Abattam shot sporadically, throwing petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (I.E.D) which set the station on fire.

CSP Abattam said the police operatives of the division immediately, responded by engaging the hoodlums in a gun duel, leading the attackers to flee with varying degrees of bullet wounds.

He added, “The gallant police operatives did not relent, they gave the hoodlums a hot chase and while escaping some ran into Golden Suite Hotel and Isu Villa Hotel respectively, the two hotels were immediately cordoned and raided and in the process, a total of Twelve (12) motorcycles without identification numbers and two vehicles one (1) Lexus RX350 SUV and one (1) Lexus RX330 SUV believed to have been used by the hoodlums were seen and recovered.

“Also seventeen (17) male and female suspects were arrested and undergoing interrogation.

“However, the fire and Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) affected some vehicles and part of the building of the division, and unfortunately, two police officers paid the supreme prize, while one sustained minor bullet injury on his head.”

Abattam says Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, while consoling the families of the officers who gallantly lost their lives, appealed to the good people of the state, not to allow terrorists to use their Communities, Hotels or Houses as a meeting point to converge for any nefarious activities.