The quest by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to emerge President of the 10th Senate is not only in order, but equally in the interest of the people of the South East region that the Senate Chief Whip is given all the necessary support that will make him to succeed, according to Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia.
The Ohuhu Abia State born business magnate cum politician stressed that as a former governor of Abia State and the Senate Chief Whip, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu is a pragmatic leader, who has shown enough capacity that qualifies him to be at the highest leadership in the Red Chambers.
Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia, who holds the title of Ihie Umuahia, described Senator Orji Kalu as a goal getter who has been involved in Igbo liberation struggle and has championed the cause of Ndigbo right from his days as governor of Abia State. He said Orji Kalu was the true voice of Ndigbo when he was governor which resulted in the clampdown of some of his business interests then, adding that Orji Kalu’s senate presidency will reposition the Igbo in the scheme of things after years of marginalization.
According to Chris Nwa-Abia “The position of number three citizen of the country (Senate President) carries a lot of influence and authority, as it will go a long way to enabling the South East become a strong force that will collectively launch her into the political centre stage of Nigeria which for long has eluded it.
In his considered opinion, “nobody should display ignorance on the need to have this pragmatic personality at the forefront because it will largely bring the most desirable benefits to the South East if Orji Kalu emerges the Senate President”.
He maintained that it is therefore imperative to eschew any negative impression of the past, which didn’t portray Orji Kalu in good light, putting at the back of our minds that it is the interest of the South East which has been disadvantaged politically over the years that matters in this project.
Chris Nwa-Abia reasoned that Orji Kalu’s approach may not have gone down well with many of us, adding that it could be his strategy of ensuring that South East doesn’t lose out politically in the equation.
Said Chris Nwa-Abia, “Orji Uzor Kalu will not be intimidated as Senate President, he will fight for the interest of the South East and the masses in general because he is audacious and will talk to the President direct. Don’t forget that he and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu served as governors the same time, so there is really nothing that will restrain him from ensuring that the South East takes back its pride of place in the scheme of things.
He appealed to Ndigbo to think about the benefits that will be derivable from Orji Kalu’s senate presidency and support him to clinch the coveted seat.
