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Tag: Orji Kalu

  • 2023: I’ll work for Tinubu same way I worked for Lawan – Orji Kalu

    2023: I’ll work for Tinubu same way I worked for Lawan – Orji Kalu

    Senate Chief Whip Orji Kalu says he will work for the success of All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Candidate, Chief Bola Tinubu in the  2023 elections.

    Kalu told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that he would make for Tinubu, the same level of efforts he devoted to the Senate President Ahmad Lawan before and during APC’s presidential primary election.

    Kalu, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the primary election, said that he had anticipated that the party’s presidential candidate would emerge through consensus.

    He pledged to work toward Tinubu’s victory at the polls.

    Kalu, a former Governor of Abia,  said that he was satisfied that the party held the primary poll.

    “The party would have been factionalised without the primary.

    “The next is to work for the APC and the APC candidate; we have no alternative. I am a  party man and do not shy away from issues.

    ”Now, the way I fought for Lawan is the same way I will fight for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

    He praised President  Muhammadu Buhari for not endorsing any presidential candidate.

    The former governor expressed the optimism that the southeast would vote for APC in 2023.

    ”I will always take my stand on any issue. I accepted that Bola Tinubu won and the whole party agreed.

    ”There is no doubt about his victory, and when there is no doubt about his victory, we just have to go to the field to work for our party’s victory.

    “I pray that my constituency, the South East,  will give us the same belief that they gave to President Buhari in 2019, which gave him 68 per cent votes.

    ”I hope they will be able to give APC the same number of votes,” Kalu said.

  • Muslim-Muslim ticket: Orji Kalu replies CAN, says Tinubu’s wife is a pastor

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has urged Christians in Nigeria not to worry about the faith of the running mate of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Kalu stated this in reaction to the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on political parties fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 general elections as being speculated.

    Kalu, who is seeking to return to the Senate, stressed that Christians should not worry about the faith of the running mate of Tinubu, adding that the wife of the APC presidential candidate, Remi is a pastor.

    The Senate Chief Whip who made this known while addressing journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, “Let me tell you, in my house, my wife is the head of the house in reality”.

    Kalu went further to say: “Even you men that are here now, that your wives aren’t here, they are the head. Like if I wear this cloth, my wife will tell me ‘My dear, this cloth is not good, remove it’.

    “Your wife will tell you you are supposed to eat Akara and Akamu, whether you argue with her, you must take that Akamu. Your wife wants you to pay the children’s school fees, whether you argue or not, you must pay.

    “The Christians should relax because Tinubu’s wife is a pastor and once she’s a pastor we are protected because she’s not a housewife. She has political knowledge”.

    TNG reports Remi was ordained an Assistant Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in 2018.

    2023: I’ll work for Tinubu same way I worked for Lawan – Kalu

    Meanwhile, the Senate Chief Whip has said he will work for the success of Tinubu in the 2023 elections.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Kalu said he would work for the former Lagos State Governor with the same level of efforts he devoted to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan before and during APC’s presidential  primary election.

    Expressing satisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the primary election, he said that he had anticipated that the  party’s presidential candidate would  emerge through consensus.

    He pledged to work toward Tinubu’s victory at the polls.

    Kalu, a former Governor of Abia,  said that he was satisfied that the party held the primary poll.

    “The party would have been  factionalised without the  primary.

    “The next is to work for the APC and the APC candidate; we  have no alternative. I am  a  party man and  do not shy away from issues.

    “Now, the way I fought for Lawan is the same way I will fight for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

    He praised President  Muhammadu Buhari for not endorsing any presidential candidate.

    The former governor expressed the  optimism  that the South East would  vote for APC in 2023.

    “I will  always take my stand on any issue. I accepted that Bola Tinubu won and the whole party agreed.

    “There is no doubt about his victory, and when there is no doubt about his victory, we just have to go to the field to work for our party’s victory.

    “I pray that my constituency, the South East,  will  give us the same belief that they gave to President Buhari in 2019, which gave him 68 per cent  votes.

    “I hope they will be able to give APC the same number of votes,” Kalu said.

  • Orji Kalu speaks in support of Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket

    The Senate Chief Whip Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has spoken in support of theAll Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

    According to Kalu, he said there is nothing wrong with if APC decides to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket, arguing that it was not possible for a southern minority Muslim and a northern minority Christian to win a presidential election in Nigeria.

    He told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that the paramount issue was for the APC to win the presidential election.

    “Do you want me to speak the truth? If I am Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose wife is a senior pastor at a Pentecostal Church, I will go for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

    “The most important thing is for the party to win. We should stop the issue of whether you put a Christian there or not.

    “After all if we win, the wife is already a pastor. This is my own opinion, and you cannot deny my opinion.

    Kalu also told newsmen that a party could also play a Christian-Christian ticket, depending on the scenario.

    He added that it would be almost difficult for the APC to win the election in 2023 if Tinubu does not play a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

    “I know the Church I go to. There is nothing wrong in a Muslim-Muslim ticket, just as there is nothing wrong with a Christian-Christian ticket.

    “Tinubu is a minority Muslim from the south, and if you pick a Christian from the north, it will be a minority Christian, and you cannot play two minorities; it is difficult.

    He said, however that his submissions were not those of the APC, but those of Orji Kalu.

    “I sit with Tinubu’s wife in the Senate and the wife is a pastor and I have known Tinubu for long and he is a man who can do the work.

    “Tinubu is not a man who preaches Islam or Christianity.

    “He is a man who goes with everybody and can do the work, I know that most Christians will be hurt with what I am saying, but picking a Muslim or a Christian will not make him the best president.

    “It is his conscience which is an open wound that only truth can heal that matters,’’ Kalu said.

    Kalu thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring a level playing ground for all candidates at the APC’s presidential primary election.

    He expressed the belief that his constituency and the Southeast that gave Buhari 68 per cent votes in 2019 election would also extend the same percentage vote to Tinubu come 2023 presidential election.

  • I have not been appointed Ahmad Lawan’s Campaign DG – Orji Kalu

    Former Abia state governor and  All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Orji Kalu has denied reports that he was appointed as Director-General of Ahmad Lawan’s Campaign Organization.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that senate president Ahmad Lawan has joined the presidential race and is looking forward to become the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming primary elections.

    Reports emerged on Thursday that the Chief Whip of the Senate and other key stakeholders were appointed to head his campaign organization.

    In his reaction  Kalu, via  a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday night, denied the report, saying the list of the campaign team currently making the rounds was not authorized.

    Kalu appealed to the general public to disregard report claiming that he’s been made campaign DG of Ahmad Lawan.

    He said, “My attention has been drawn to a list of committee Chairmen of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organization in which I was also mentioned as the Director General.

    “The list should be disregarded as no authorization was given to the effect of its publication.

    “As the Chairman of the meeting held at my instance, it is important to notify the general public that we are not yet in the Campaign proper. A committee will be inaugurated to that effect once our most preferred candidate, Senator Ahmad Lawan emerges as the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “I am also running for election in my senatorial district and would rather recommend a sitting Governor who is not running for an election to chair the campaign team at the right time .

    “Several private visitors who were not even part of the meeting were also reported to have been in attendance. Senator Betty Apiafi, just as Senator Uche Ekwunife who visited on a different bipartisan matter concerning the Senate was also mentioned.

    “It is mischief to have included these names as part of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organization”.

  • Give us a credible person as next president – Orji Kalu begs Buhari

    Give us a credible person as next president – Orji Kalu begs Buhari

    The Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to present a man who is capable of fixing the country’s problem.

    According to him, the presidential race is not about throwing money, stating that electorates would collect the money and still cast their votes according to their conscience.

    In a post on his Facebook page, Kalu wrote, “the earliest Nigerians and presidential aspirants understand that no amount of money can buy the president of the country, the better for everyone.

    “It is only cohesion and consensus among the regions that can produce a president. If you throw in money, majority of the electorates will collect the money but still vote according to their conscience.

    “If money can buy the office of the president of Nigeria, Late MKO Abiola could have bought it with extra change. If money can buy the president, former President Goodluck Jonathan could have bought the presidential seat in 2015.

    “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to consider giving Nigeria a man who can give the entire country a sense of belonging; fix our economy; secure all parts of the country; take education very serious and protect his legacy”.

  • Orji Kalu reacts to abduction of Methodist Prelate in Abia

    Orji Kalu reacts to abduction of Methodist Prelate in Abia

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, has reacted to the abduction of Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu.

    Kalu, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, described the incident as devastating and evil.

    Recall that Kanu, alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Dennis Mark; and the Prelate’s chaplain were kidnapped on Sunday along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Ummuneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

    Kalu urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations in a bid to ensure the safe release of the victims.

    “The abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Kanu and others is pathetic and disheartening,” Kalu said.

    “Security agencies must live up to expectations in rescuing the victims.

    “The kidnap of these officials of the Methodist Church of Nigeria is totally condemned and unacceptable.”

    Kalu also prayed for the safe release of the abducted.

  • North East, only alternative to South East presidency – Orji Kalu

    North East, only alternative to South East presidency – Orji Kalu

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, says the North East remains the only alternative to the South East presidency.

    Kalu, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, reaffirmed his support to the North East in the absence of the Presidency being zoned to the South East by political parties.

    Kalu said his position was because no Igbo man loved the Igbo people than he does.

    A foremost nationalist, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, had criticised Kalu for seemingly abandoning the quest for South East presidency and throwing his weight behind Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

    Newsmen reports that Kalu who had been advocating for a South East presidency in 2023, had also in January announced his personal interest in the office.

    However, in a recent statement, the former governor of Abia said he decided to withdraw from the race since there was “no zoning in APC’’.

    “I have known Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi for the past 30 years and I have great respect for him.

    “However, I totally disagree with him and his opinion about my support for the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan.

    “If we should stick to every of the expectations enumerated in the statement he allegedly signed, we would be making similar mistakes we made in the past.

    “There is no Igbo man that loves Igbo people more than I do,’’ Kalu said.

    Describing himself as a detribalised Nigerian, Kalu added that he remained a very realistic and optimistic Igbo man.

    According to the former governor of Abia, people easily forgot the too many prices I have paid in defence of Ndigbo.

    “Good politicians win elections before the elections take place and I genuinely want the South East to win.

    “I expected that the president, after President Buhari, will emerge from the South East.

    “That was why I was constantly urging all the political parties to be fair to every region of this country.

    “The fairness which I talked about was about the South East and the North East, the two zones that are yet to produce the President of Nigeria.

    “Unless the two parties zone their tickets to the South East, there is no fairness. I believe the zoning was the best means a South Easterner could become president,’’ Kalu said.

    According to him, the South East supported the South West in 1999 and also supported the South South in 2011 and 2015.

    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo became President in 1999 because the South East and the South South supported the South West.

    “Former President Goodluck Jonathan became president in 2011 because the South East and the South West supported the South South.

    “So, what stops South West and South South aspirants from withdrawing from the race to support only the South East aspirants?

    “In my previous statements, I applauded a couple of South West and South South elders who extended their support to our region and also called on other regions to consider the South East for President.

    “However, we cannot continue to rely on oral support and mere statements when what is needed most is practical action.

    “And what is this action? persuading and stopping your sons and kinsmen to drop their presidential ambition for the South East. Anything less than that is hypocritical and we cannot fall for it again.

    “If all we do is to rely on statements and speeches of elder statesmen without taking decisive steps, we would be left behind politically again and we don’t want that to happen.

    “If I am right, let posterity applaud me, if I am wrong, let it judge me,’’ Kalu said.

  • Nine APC presidential aspirants set to step down for Ahmad Lawan

    Nine APC presidential aspirants set to step down for Ahmad Lawan

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu says nine presidential aspirants from the All Progressives Congress (APC) are set to step down to support the presidential ambition of the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan.

    Kalu told NAN on Saturday in Abuja that an influential presidential aspirant from the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also planing to join the APC.

    Kalu, though did not list their names, was the first to drop his presidential ambition in support of Lawan on the grounds of failure of APC to zone the presidential ticket to the South East.

    He declared his support for Lawan who hails from the North East.

    According to Kalu, “Lawan’s candidature will rock like hurricane.

    “The issue of the APC presidential candidate will be settled even before the primaries.

    “As I am talking to you, about nine presidential aspirants from our party have intimated me of their plans to drop their presidential ambition to support Ahmad Lawan.

    “Does that not signify victory before the election? Lawan’s candidature will rock like hurricane.

    “Lawan is from the North East and has similar sympathy with the South East that is yet to produce president.

    “I have repeated my reasons for dropping my ambition for Lawan severally and I am sure Nigerians are aware already.

    “We are also expecting an influential presidential aspirant from the opposition to join the APC.

    “So, you can see the party is very progressive and properly ready for Lawan’s emergence,“ the former governor of Abia said.

    On the call for postponement of primary elections by some political parties, Kalu said he does not expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to listen to them.

    He said the parties were duly informed and should have prepared well as mandated by the electoral body.

    “Extension of the dates will only support irresponsibility. Nigerians find it difficult to keep to time and appointments and that is why they would always seek for extra time.

    “I support INEC to stick to their timetable otherwise we will be living with postponement after postponement. Such a trend is not healthy for a society and its people.

    “We complains of indiscipline but not ready to be practical about the requirements of discipline.

    “INEC should discipline any party that fails to meet up, because that is the only way they can take their jobs seriously,” Kalu said.

  • Sen. Orji Kalu felicitates with Obi of Onitsha at 81

    Sen. Orji Kalu felicitates with Obi of Onitsha at 81

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has described the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as an outstanding elder statesman and uncommon ruler with a passion for the growth and progress of Anambra and Nigeria.

    Kalu, in a congratulatory message issued on Saturday in Abuja, extolled the virtues of the revered traditional ruler as he celebrates his 81st birthday anniversary.

    He applauded Achebe’s contributions to nation-building through various platforms adding that the traditional ruler is well respected across the country for his exemplary leadership qualities.

    He said, “I felicitate with the government and people of Anambra State on the occasion of the 81st birthday anniversary of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe.

    “His giant strides as a boardroom guru, traditional ruler, statesman and philanthropist are remarkable, enormous and worthy of emulation.

    “The revered monarch is indeed a source of inspiration for his contemporaries and the younger generation.

    “People at the helm of affairs will continue to tap from the expertise of the monarch in all facets of life.

    “The revered traditional ruler deserves to be celebrated for his contributions to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria.”

    Newsmen reports that Kalu wished the monarch longer life in the service of humanity.

  • I can’t betray Igbos, Orji Kalu replies Edwin Clark

    I can’t betray Igbos, Orji Kalu replies Edwin Clark

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has said that he never betrayed the South-East in pursuing his political ambitions.

    Kalu, in a statement he issued on Thursday in Abuja, reiterated his determination to continue to advance the Igbo cause.

    Recall that an elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark had accused Kalu of betraying the Igbo cause by dropping his presidential ambition and supporting Senate President, Ahmed Lawan.

    Clark said that although Kalu was one of the oldest vocal frontline politicians in the South-East, he doubted his sincerity and transparency.

    The elder statesman added that it was surprising that Kalu did not only drop his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election, but also declared his support for the presidential ambition of Lawan who hails from North-East.

    Kalu, however, dismissed the accusation and said that rather he is doing his best to reintegrate the South-East into mainstream politics.

    “I have great respect for Chief Edwin Clark; he is an elder statesman and a patriotic Nigerian. I want to sincerely commend him for openly supporting the South-East geo-political zone to produce the next president of Nigeria.

    “It is imperative I remind him that I didn’t betray my people, rather I am doing my best to reintegrate them into mainstream politics.

    “In the last two years, I have been at the forefront agitating for a Nigerian president of South-East extraction, when most of them were all saying “Southern Presidency”, Kalu said.

    He argued that none of the actors openly said the South-East geo-political zone should have it.

    “I was shocked that even the zone the entire South-East supported in unity including myself in 2011 and 2015 respectively, has the highest number of contestants without thinking of their brothers.

    “This is knowing fully well that the South-East zone has remained the only zone in Southern Nigeria that has not produced the nation’s president since the rotation convention dispensation that began in 1999.

    “Coming this late hour to support the South-East is rather suspicious to me if they couldn’t do it two years ago.

    “The truth is, Chief Edwin Clark knows the South-East cannot get the ticket of any party in an open contest as it is today without a gentleman agreement to concede it to the South-East.

    “If all the aspirants from the South-West and South-South cannot support their brothers from the South-East, it is only politically correct to support the North-East geo-political zone, which to me is the shortest route for the South-East geo-political zone to produce the president after their eight years instead of waiting for another 16 years.

    “It is rather surprising to me that Chief Edwin Clark didn’t call the majority of other Southerners including governors working against the South-East to order or the names he called me.

    “What did you say or do when all the aspirants from South-South and South-West were buying forms to run against South Easterners who have always supported them.

    “I know some people want us to keep quiet and then allow other Southerners take turn of South-East. If you meant well for the South-East, you could have discouraged other aspirants against running for president.

    “Nothing stops the South supporting only presidential aspirants from the South-East.

    “The betrayers are those who don’t care about South-East. We are wiser,’’ Kalu said.

    The former governor of Abia further told Clark that majority of the Southerners in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party were secretly supporting a North Easterner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The welfare of my people is a passion that is driving me, I am not doing anything to advance my personal interest or seek personal glorification.

    “I also lost my businesses fighting for the political interest of the Igbos. I cannot betray them now if I didn’t do it yesterday,’’ Kalu said.