2015: Kalu still in Abia North senatorial race in PDP – Campaign director

Contrary to in­sinuations that former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, is not in the race for Abia North Senatorial District seat, his campaign organisation has said there is no truth in this.
South-East Zonal Coordi­nator of the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP), Colonel Akunobi, was quoted on the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) at the weekend, to have said that Kalu had withdrawn from the senatorial election sched­uled for February next year.
Reacting to this, the Di­rector of Orji Uzor Kalu Senatorial Campaign Ogan­isation, Chief Emeka Ohia, stated that the former gov­ernor was not just in the race but is being rooted for by indigenes of the senatorial district.

He stated that Kalu had already obtained nomination form from the PDP and hav­ing filled it, would submit the form on Friday.
“Kalu is very much in the senatorial race. Colonel Aku­nobi is wrong to say that he is not in the race. We have collected the form and will submit it on Friday,” Ohia told Daily Sun.
The campaign director stated that as a member of the PDP, Kalu, who rejoined the party on January 16, 2012, duly obtained the nomina­tion form from the national secretariat, according to the guidelines.
He stated that the former governor would campaign in every nook and cranny of Abia North Senatorial Dis­trict and based on his over­whelming acceptance, he is looking forward to represent­ing the people of the area.
“Yes, Kalu is getting ready for the election. When cam­paign starts, we would visit all areas in Abia North to seek their votes. He did this in 2011 and won 78 per cent of the votes, but the riggers manipulated the results. De­spite that, he refused to go to court. In four years, Abia North has lost its quality rep­resentation. The people in Abia North know that Kalu will be an outstanding sena­tor and therefore, will always vote for him,” Ohia stated.
Kalu contested the Abia North Senatorial seat on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in 2011. He had earlier contest­ed for the Presidency in 2007 on the platform of PPA.
The former governor re­joined the PDP in 2012 and has participated in the activi­ties of the party ever since.
A foundation member of the PDP, Kalu left the part in 2007 to found the PPA, when he was deregistered along with others. The PPA won the governorship elections in Abia and Imo states as well as state House of Assembly and House of Representa­tives seats.

2015: Why I want to run for Abia North senatorial seat — Kalu

Former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, at the weekend, attributed his interest to run for the Abia North senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to his resolve to serve the people of the state.
He, however, hinged his belief and optimism on God despite the bickerings by some politicians in the state who are against his ambition.
Kalu, who spoke to some journalists at the Lagos Airport on his way to the Middle East, declared that he would continue to pursue the ongoing reconciliation in the ruling PDP despite distractions from the Abia State chapter of the party.
His words: ‘‘Last week, I picked my nomination form at Wadata Plaza. I decided to run for Senate after several calls by the good people of Abia North for better representation. I and Governor T.A Orji are from different senatorial zones and more so, the mandate belongs to the people. No one has monopoly of power to make anyone senator except God and your constituents.
“I believe that the beauty of democracy is fair play and the president has promised a level playing field for all aspirants. Before venturing into politics, I had been empowering my people when I was in public office; so, based on this, I rest assured of victory.”

He, however, commended government for addressing the insecurity affecting the country, while also calling on traditional rulers and leaders of thought to educate their subjects on the negative effects of terrorism.

“Boko haram has been surmounted to a large extent. We must commend the efforts of the federal government and support of foreign countries and international agencies in curbing terrorism.”

On Chibok girls, he accused politicians of over heating the issue saying: “though I feel very pained as a father too. However, we must not forget that the President is trying his best and having sleepless night over the abduction of these girls. We all need to work together without been partisan to collectively salvage the situation.

“The #BringBackOurGirls campaign is commendable as they have created awareness and put government on their toes in finding a lasting solution to the menace. I want to appeal to Emirs and leaders of thought to continue to educate the people on the negative effect of terrorism to the nation as nothing strive in an atmosphere of unrest.

We should keep praying for the country as we approach election year and politicians should embrace the spirit of sportsmanship in the forthcoming elections.”

Kalu’s senatorial ambition: Would PDP’s umbrella contain all this time?

“No one has monopoly of power to make anyone Sen­ator except God and one’s constituents. I believe that the beauty of democracy is fair-play and the President has promised a level playing ground for all aspirants…”

 The above were the words of former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu as he picked his nomination form to run for Abia North Senatorial seat on the platform of the PDP ahead of the 2015 elections. Kalu who said that he picked his nomination form at Wadata Plaza, informed that his move in doing that, having served his state as governor between the period of 1999-2007, was because he has had numerous calls from and by his people in that respect to represent them again, not as governor, but as senator this time around.

 Be­fore venturing into politics, according to Kalu, he had been empowering his people same way when he was in public office, so based on this, he’s confident of victory. He believes that it is on the desk of the people to decide who their representative should be and not any person in the state. As a great man Kalu is, it is obvious that some persons who think themselves power brokers in Abia are now jittery for this time-consuming move by Kalu, because the lion has come back to her fold.

 It is obvious that Abia North Senatorial District that Kalu hails from is now engulfed in rainbow of thoughtfulness among the infinitesimal group that remorse Kalu because of politics. It could be recalled that barely five days to the 2011 senatorial elections in Abia State, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) nearly went into rubbles following the oligarchic approach of Governor T.A Orji that targeted two party muscular members, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senate President, David Mark. The governor feared the overwhelming weight of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPA) senatorial candidate and former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

 Governor T.A Orji against David Mark
As it was to the build up for the election in 2011, Governor Theodore Orji pushed for the PDP candidate, Uche Chukwumerije and persuaded the people from that Abia North constituency to vote for Chukwumerije. The governor is from Abia Central, while Kalu and Chukwumerije who were the major contenders in that election come from Abia North Senatorial District.
The governor was doing that, because of the resentment that he has shown to Kalu – the man that spent his resources and energy and he became governor in the 2007 elections? Against this backdrop, many people from Abia State had wished Maduekwe would be national chairman of the PDP, but the governor was out and was pushing Chukwumerije to become senator in order to represent the Senate President David Mark. But as nature wanted it, Mark was fully out of returning to the National Assembly as president of the Senate.
According to a report in a national paper with the title, “Abia North Tears PDP Apart”, March 29, 2011, “Apparently, Governor Orji is not comfortable with having Maduekwe, who is from Ohafia in Abia North as PDP chairman, and is, therefore, pushing Chukwumerije as Senate president even when he has not won a third-term ticket. Governor Orji knows that following the party’s continuity arrangement, Senator Mark, who is a strong backer of President Goodluck Jonathan, has brighter chances of winning Senatorial elections than Chukwumerije.”


Kalu as his rivals’ waterloo
Kalu was not making noise within the period. He allowed ‘noisemakers’ make the noise, while he used his head. As the source had it, Emeka Obasi who’s Kalu’s aid, in his postulation said: “That is a sweet umbrella battle. Kalu is their waterloo. Expectedly, the ‘Otimkpu’ regime has started playing ‘kalo-kalo,’ building castles in the air.

“This is just a ploy to knock out Maduekwe from the PDP chairmanship race. I hope Senator Mark is watching. No governor has the power to anoint a Senate president. Elections have not even been held. And you know it is now one- man, one- vote. No Federal might, no state power.”

(Obasi described the move as further proof that the Abia State government had run short of ideas, speedily turning into an island in the Igbo hinterland), while he continued, according to the source, “Believe it, we have a pariah government in Abia. The First Lady had since distanced herself from their terminological inexactitudes.

“The Chief-of-Army staff Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, a worthy son of the state, said the army would not take part in politics. Somebody, somewhere wallowing in delusion, thought the renovated military presence in Ohafia would be part of their kitchen cabinet. And just Saturday in Abuja, Governor Chibuike Amechi rightly proclaimed Mr. President as a Rivers son-in-law. Now the umbrella in Abia cannot cover anybody.”

Would the PDP’s umbrella accommodate all this time?

Abia North is made up of Arochukwu, Bende, Isiukwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi council areas. Chukwumerije hails from Umunneochi Local Government Area. Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, won in that 2011 election and is still interested in picking the PDP ticket in the Abia North Senatorial zone in 2015.

However, he had fallen apart with Chief Obasanjo-led PDP when he mounted pressure against the third term agenda, when he won his first senatorial election in 2003-2007. When Obasanjo’s heat was much on him, he genuflected to the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) (the party that Kalu built) in 2006 and was reelected to the Senate in April 2007. It was obvious that Kalu was rigged out of the election in 2011 with the arsenal of security operatives that were heavily present in Abia North.

Kalu rejects result
A total of 11 political parties participated in the election in Abia North. By April 11 2011, the news was everywhere that Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu had rejected the result of the April 10 2011, which declared Chukwumerije winner of the Abia North senatorial election, announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Chukwumerije the winner.



Kalu vowed to challenge the outcome in court of competent jurisdiction. In the result, the commission said Kalu polled 34, 188 votes, while Chukwumerije scored 83, 206 votes. Kalu’s words for rejecting the result were: “The result of the election announced by the INEC does not represent the wish of the people of Abia North. I make bold to say that I won in four of the five local government areas in Abia North Senatorial District.



“I am going to challenge the result in a court of law because it was not a true reflection of how people voted during the election. I believe in the judiciary and I am very hopeful that I will claim my victory at the court.”



It is pertinent to say that Kalu cried out that he did not win in Umunneochi Local Government was based on a so-called unapproachable presence of soldiers that terrified entitled voters away from exercising their civic responsibilities. So, it behooves on the Federal authorities and the INEC to get the election right this time, so that no one cries out of blue murder and arm-twisting in 2015.



Rubby Obinna writes from Ohaji, Imo State.

KALU HAILS UDUAGHAN AT 60

Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Kalu, has described, Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan,  as a consummate politician, who has impacted lives positively.He made the remark in a congratulatory message to the governor who turns 60 on Wednesday, October 22.

Kalu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, said,”As you attain the age of 60, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate this milestone. You have touched lives in different capacities especially with the laudable programmes of your administration in Delta state. We cannot ask for more than to thank God for your life.  It is my prayer that God Almighty will continue to bless you in health and wisdom to steer the ship of Delta State”
He urged the celebrant to see the grace of life as a challenge to continue his good work in Delta State.

ORJI KALU FOUNDATION TAKES FREE MEDICAL SCHEME TO IGBERE

Orji Uzor Kalu foundation has launched a free medical scheme to treat the elderly people in Abia North from 15th to 18th October 2014. The scheme was kicked off in Igbere by the former governor of Abia state, His Excellency, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

From Igbere the medical team will move to Ohafia, Bende, Umunneochi, Arochukwu, Uzuakoli, Isuikwuato etc.

Acording to Kalu, the free medical scheme is a program initiated by him and his wife Dr. Mrs Ify Uzor Kalu to provide medical relief to elderly people, most of whom can not afford their medical bills. “This is borne out of my passion for the people, even when I was the governor, it was a cardinal policy of my administration to always send medical teams to take care of the elderly all over the state.”

He said the program is not only for the Abia north but will cover the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.

KALU EXTOLS GOWON'S VIRTUES

Eminent business mogul and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has congratulated former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd),as he turns 80 on Sunday.
 
The former governor while extolling the virtues of General Gowon acknowledged the exemplary leadership qualities of the elder statesman.
 
Kalu, in his tribute to General Gowon captioned "GO ON WITH ONE NIGERIA", noted that General Gowon's administration laid the foundation of an indivisible Nigeria.
 
The tribute reads:"There is only one leader whose name has been turned into an acronym for national unity and cohesion.  He is General (Dr) Yakubu Gowon.  His last name, during his time in office, was interpreted to mean: GO ON WITH ONE NIGERIA (GOWON)”.
 
“And how fitting the acronym was.  For it was under Gen Gowon that Nigeria fought a gruelling 30 months' civil war that had the potential of breaking the country to pieces.  But through deft nationalistic leadership, Gowon took Nigeria through the war, and at the end, declared "No Victor, No Vanquished".  He also affirmed the 3 Rs, standing for Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation.  There is no way the history of Nigeria would be written without Gen Gowon being given his due.”

“As he turns 80, what can I do than to thank God for the life of this great man?  He got into power at a youthful age, held that power with maturity and decency for nine years, and today, almost 40 years after, he is still serving the country with his wealth of knowledge, offering worthy advice to the younger generation.

“To our dear Gen Yakubu Gowon, I’ll just say as he turns 80: please, Go On With One Nigeria.”
 
As the celebrant marks his 80th birthday, Kalu prayed God to grant General Gowon excellent health in his service to God and humanity.

2015: Kalu Urges Jonathan To Retain Sambo

ORMER Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to buckle under pressure to drop Vice President Alhaji Namadi Sambo as his running mate when he declares to seek re- election In 2015.

This is just as the former governor has picked his nomination form to run for Abia North Senatorial seat  under the platform of the PDP.

He described those pushing for the dropping of Sambo as political jobbers who are only out to create disaffection in the seat of power.

He said those routing for other persons as running mate for the president are the enemy of the ruling party.

Kalu said dropping the vice president would amount to a disincentive for the loyalty Sambo has demonstrated as a good deputy and ally who is not ambitious to rock  the boat .

  Speaking in an interview Friday on his departure  to overseas at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Kalu dismissed insinuations making the round that Jonathan was buckling under pressure in some quartets to consider the governor of Katsina , Alhaji Ibrahim Shema , the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ), Alhaji Adamu Muazu or the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido as his running mate .

  Kalu said :” Considering the good working relationship between the duo of President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, the wise thing is to allow the same team fly the party flag.

  “Not only that Sambo has been loyal to the president, he has also supported and added value to the transformation agenda of the present administration.

  “In order to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in government, the president gave a mandate for the vice president to oversee some government agencies and technical committees for which, Sambo has performed credibly well. In addition, he has also contributed to the party especially by maintaining peace and unity in PDP especially in the North.”

KALU COMMISERATES WITH ALAMIEYESEIGHA

Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, yesterday, expressed shock over the death of Oyamuyefa, son of first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The young Alamieyeseigha died on Sunday in Dubai.
Kalu in a condolence message signed by his special adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, said: "I was deeply pained when I heard the news of the untimely death of Oyamuyefa. It is devastating considering the age of the deceased. The young boy who had a bright future died in his prime but who are we to question God. My prayer and thoughts are with the deceased's loved ones and family at this sad moment”.

The former governor urged Chief Alamieyeseigha to take faith as God has a reason for every action.

Kalu prayed God to give the Alamieyeseighas the fortitude to bear the sad loss and grant the departed a peaceful rest.

In the same vein, Kalu has described Chief Tayo Akpata, a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Trust Fund, as an elder statesman and philanthropist whose death is a big loss to the nation.

Chief Akpata, Ima of Benin kingdom, died on Monday at his Ikoyi, Lagos, residence.

Kalu noted that Akpata was a respected leader who died at a time his wealth of wisdom was much needed in his community and the nation at large.

In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Chief Akpata. He was a forthright and selfless leader, who contributed immensely to nation-building in different capacities. He lived an accomplished life worthy of emulation”.



Kalu admonished the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact the he left behind a good legacy for them to uphold.

The former governor, while commiserating with the deceased's family, Benin traditional council and Edo State government, prayed God to grant the departed eternal rest.

DR. ORJI UZOR KALU - A CHEERFUL GIVER

 Kalu’s spirit of giving makes me remember a statement by an anonymous, which says that smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity, so is enjoining good and forbidding evil, giving directions to the lost traveller, aiding the blind and removing obstacles from the path.
 Dr. Kalu also depicts the passage by Maya Angelou, which says that when we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. Permit me to say that this dude from Igbere and, by extension Igbo extraction, is a cheerful giver.
 Apart from the magnanimous donations he has made to his people of Igbere, Kalu is also bent on handling adversity and assisting Nigerians in the Diaspora to succeed in their different fields of business, by ensuring that they secure loans from his banks to efficiently run their businesses.
 Kalu does not walk in the darkness of destructive selfishness like most people that are in his status. As a way of assisting some of us in Conakry, Guinea, where I reside doing business, Kalu imports goods worth millions of dollars and distributes to us without collecting initial capital in order to seeing that we prosper.
 Even though that it was said that he is the fourth richest persons in Nigeria and among the fifty richest Africans, one thing that sets Kalu aside is that he is a humble person. He has done much and is still doing, to assist humanity, not minding the tribe the person comes from.
 I must say that Kalu is one of those that if they die tommorrow, will never die out, because he has been doing things for people, who can never repay him. Many Nigerians who are trapped in the Diaspora and had no means of coming back home are today proud marketers of batteries, tyres and lubricants, Brake pads, candles, wall tiles, vegetables and many others that Kalu imports and shares among them to sell (without asking for initial capital), as a means of fostering them not to waste and die like a church rat in overseas.
 In the case where any Nigerian he meets abroad does not want to trade, Kalu makes sure that the Nigerian is engaged in a meaningful means of livelihood. Others use his company’s name to import goods worth billions of naira, without him asking for rewards.
 As if Mahatma Gandhi had Kalu at heart when he said that the simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer; Kalu shows worry whenever a Nigerian is arrested abroad, apart from his immeasurable benevolence.

 I remember in 2012, when it was reported that in Brazil alone, some 457 Nigerians were languishing in prisons for various offences, Kalu wept like a baby before many of us. He has great passion for Nigeria and Nigerians and has often warned that people should eschew crime and corruption in any environment they found themselves.
 Kalu has taught me through his actions that the best enjoyed moments in human existence are those filled with the spirit of giving. He does not want any Nigerian to be a failure to Nigeria, even though some persons may perceive the leadership of Nigeria at different levels, as a failure.
 Kalu does not want Nigerians in the Diaspora to lack confidence, will-power, political adulthood and resoluteness to change the status quo in any countries they are. Kalu immensely votes into human development and has immeasurably transformation agenda for any Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora.
He, in earnest, practices communalism knowing that capitalism has failed the world; he wants every Nigerian to be involved in the day to day administration of self-realisation. It is my prayer that his God should continue to give him the strength and life and resources to do more.
Nwabueze Jonathan Emenike is of JONATEC Auto Supply International, Guinea. Tel:+224664640657

R.I.P. PASTOR DIMGBA IGWE

The Publisher Sun Newspaper Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (MON) Chief Ekeoma and the family of late Dimgba Igwe the Deputy Chairman Sun Publishing at the burial of the iconic writer, publisher, preacher and motivational speaker in his country home Igbere, Abia State. On going.


The wife and children of the later vice chairman of Sun Publishing Pastor Dimgba Igwe at the burial ceremony in igbere

HE Dr Orji Kalu delivering his tribute to the late Pastor Dimgba Igwe at the burial ceremony in igbere

Sallah: Kalu harps on national unity

Eminent business­man and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has felicitated with the Muslim com­munity all over the world on the 2014 Eid -el- Kabir celebration.
The former governor, who described the Sallah season as a period of spiri­tual re-dedication, called on Nigerians to pray for the country.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “It is with joy that I join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating yet another Eld -el – Kabir. This special season calls for sober re­flection as individuals and as a nation. Nigeria needs prayer and there is no other time to do this than now, let’s keep praying for the country’s leadership”.

He added that religious tolerance and mutual re­spect among all tribes and religions is key to peaceful co-existence and unity of Nigeria. “We must con­tinue to show love, broth­erhood and togetherness in the interest of our dear country”, he declared, add­ing: “I salute our religious and spiritual leaders who have continued to cham­pion peaceful co-existence among all religions.”

Kalu, while wishing the Muslim ummah a hitch-free celebration, called on them to extend the good­will of the season to friends in other religions.

Nigeria undergoing economic revitalisation, says Kalu

Former Governor of Abia State and business mogul, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has said Nigeria is undergoing an intricate, but highly visible period of socio-economic revitalization.
He said the nation is far from the pariah state many in the international community would believe.
In a statement issued yesterday and entitled: “Potential for an up­swing: Nigeria celebrates Indepen­dence at 54”, he urged the citizenry to show a resiliency that has defined the nation since independence.

He noted that in the eyes of many, the 54th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence does not call for commemoration, but should provide the citizenry moments to pause and allow for silent, sober reflection on the tumultuous events that have slowed the nation’s inevitable ascent to greatness.
His words: “Yes, Nigeria has been mired in controversy, and has attempted to be split apart by indi­viduals and cabals that would seek to divide and therefore, conquer. The multitude of threats could have broken us as a united country and at the very least, caused our day of Independence to be tarnished by skepticism and doubt for our future”.

He said that despite the challenges facing the nation, she has every cause to celebrate, adding, “today is our Independence Day. And today, we are as proud as ever to be Nige­rians. We look forward to ushering in a new era of accountability in the name of prosperity in the year to come”.

The statement reads: “As militant insurgency continues its malleable penetration of our borders and challenges the livelihoods of our communities and even our children, as Ebola again rears its ugly head, with the threat of outbreak ever prevalent in public discourse and as elections pose a risk, to once more bitterly divide us, one can easily claim disarray as opposed to bask in what should be joyous exuberance of Nigeria’s half-century-long climb to the forefront of Africa’s market­place.

“We witness innovation and dis­coveries therein regularly, praising those that seek to capitalize on the abundance of opportunity all around us. We continue to exude an in­domitable spirit of entrepreneurship that has unlocked our true potential and enabled the country to reach economic excellence in a relatively short period of time, given the his­tory of geo-politics.

“As we aim to secure our borders, we have fortified new and renewed relationships with international partners; we have taken the opportunity to promote integration to these comrades and Nigeria, the jewel of the ECOWAS, as the appro­priate conduit for investment in ‘Rising Africa’.

“We embrace unabatedly our cultures, each unique but each similarly hosting and openly sharing in tradition and heritage while acknowledging the role technology and modern polity must play in ensuring ours is a nation competitive, in order to steward the BRICS into a new century of level prosperity”.