Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north, says the consensus of the southeast geopolitical zone ahead of 2027 is to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE | READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE...
Kalu, a former governor of Abia, spoke in Abuja at the end of the Abia APC stakeholders’ meeting held at his residence over the weekend.
He said members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia have resolved to put aside their differences and work together to deliver Tinubu and take over the state government currently led by Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).
Those present at the meeting included Donatus Nwankpa, APC national welfare secretary; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, minister of state for labour and employment; Obinna Oriaku, former commissioner for finance; Ndukwe Adindu; Sam Ikiri; Mike Nwabara; Anyim Nyerere; Nze Esiaga; Chidi Maduekwe; Ndukwe Maxwell; Nnanna Kalu; and Emeka Atuma.
Speaking to journalists, Kalu said the president had directed party leaders to reconcile and strengthen the APC in their various states.
His words: “We are more united now than ever because President Tinubu during the last APC NEC meeting gave us directive to go and reconcile members of the party in our states.
“He knows that we are capable of doing it and we will be very grateful to the people of our constituencies and the masses to join us in uniting the party.
“They stand to benefit more by enjoying the federal might. They can see what is happening in Abia north senatorial district concerning federal government’s interventions and I am very thankful to former President Buhari and the incumbent President Tinubu.
“This is what the three senatorial districts will enjoy when they join the APC.
He said Tinubu had expressed concern about the political situation in Abia and urged leaders to reunite the party.
He said: “The last time I went to see President Tinubu, he was not very happy about the situation in Abia and I gave him my words that we are going to work hard to bring back Abia as a united indivisible entity.
“The president knows that we the leaders of Abia are capable of doing that. We are going to do that and we are calling and promising all the leaders that nobody will be left behind.
“We are in government and everybody must roll with us because anybody who does might regret his action.
“It is better they identify with the peace initiative and I believe that we will achieve our desire because the most important thing is for the party to be very strong and to speak very loudly during elections.”
Kalu said he has always enjoyed the confidence of the people, adding that his track record as governor and senator speaks for itself.
His words: “I was a very good governor, they also know that I am a very good senator and that I have never deceived the people of Abia state.
“I am committed to whatever we want to do and whoever we present as candidate for elections from the House of Assembly to the president, they will know that they will be credible.”
Kalu said the south-east zone has resolved to align with Tinubu for 2027, adding that efforts are ongoing to mobilise support across the region.
He said: “My goodwill message to the people of Abia is that we have a president that has done first term and will be going for second term.
“If he is doing second term, Abia needs to also align to the centre because we cannot afford to be speaking differently.”
“The consensus of the south-east over 2027 is that the zone will do very well in supporting President Tinubu and I challenge them to mark my words.
“I have been working and I am on ground. Remember when Mr President visited Enugu, I was not there physically but I have his permission to visit all the governors in the south-east and beyond and I am doing that.
“We are working and not resting. The president knows that there are few planners behind him and when we plan we execute the plan.
“The class of 1999 governors are made up of very tough people and a very good class.”