Former Governor of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor
Kalu has maintained that the north must complete its two-term of eight years,
adding that Igbos and other tribes should wait till 2023. New Telegraph reports
that Kalu told Journalists on Monday, October 9, after a closed-door meeting
with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at his
uphill mansion, Minna that if President Muhammadu Buhari does not run in 2019,
then another northerner should emerge.
We gathered that Kalu said that: “If Buhari
would not want to contest the 2019 Presidency like I will always say and
maintain my position, northerners should be allowed to complete their second
term making it eight years.
“If Buhari is not contesting even though he is
entitled to the second term, the north should still present another candidate.
This is the turn of the north. Even though I am a Nigerian, I am also entitled
to it but fairness is paramount.” Furthermore, he warned that “other zones
should wait and be ready for 2023, but for now I still maintain my position and
I am not afraid of anybody. This is the turn of the north. Anybody can take me
for what I say. Whoever that is castigating me over my position on this matter
is wasting his time. “I live by the truth and I will be ready to speak the
truth always. Opinion is an entitlement, and that is my opinion given to me by
God.” Speaking on the state of marginalization in some parts of the country, he
said “Igbos are not the only marginalised people in the country, each zone has
its peculiar challenge. The former governor said the main reason for various
agitation all over the country including that of the indigenous people of
Biafra (IPOB) is lack of infrastructure and basic amenities. Accordingly, he
said: “the solution to these problems and agitation is justice and fairness by
the government. The federal government should build roads, give water, let
children have access to school and we will all respect the law
“The
absence of all these is responsible for whatever agitation you are seeing. Not
only IPOB is being marginalized, every part of this country is being
marginalized. “When I was coming to Niger, I passed through the Minna-Suleja
road, I now concluded that not only the eastern part of the country is being
marginalized. All parts of the country are marginalised. However, he advised
that Nigeria and Nigerians need new orientation from A to Z, that is the only
solution. Reacting to comments by some aggrieved IPOB members, Orji Kalu said
“I did not say anything bad on IPOB, they have the right to carry their flags
around and agitate but they don’t have the right to separate Nigeria. “What I
said, and it is clear, Nnamdi Kalu’s brother told me that he has left the
country, and I was not looking for him for any bad intention, I was looking for
him to be able to call the federal authority that he is with me and no Army or
Police can take him away from me. “So that we can discuss the way forward.
People misunderstood my intention. I was just after peace because burning down
our state (Abia state) wouldn’t have been the best option. “And again, the
lives of the over 15 million Igbos that are living in the north are more
important than one person. That is the issue. So, we need to take control of
the situation
When
asked about his purpose and aftermath of his meeting with IBB, he said “I am in
Minna because it is one of my homes and also this is one of my regular visit to
Minna. So, my visit has no political undertone. I come here regularly. In a
similar vein, at the government house in Minna during a courtesy visit, he
commended the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello for ensuring peaceful
coexistence among various ethnic groups in the state. He particularly commended
the governor for his role in dousing tension following the October 1st quit
notice to Igbos by Arewa youth, saying that his (Sani Bello) various peace
meetings among various ethnic groups in the state is highly commendable. “This
is what makes a great leader. A leader is not only known for his developmental
strides but the way a manner he ensures peaceful coexistence among its people.
In his remarks, the governor aligned with his guest in the area of
marginalisation saying that Niger state has one of the worst federal roads in
the country. PAY
According to him “despite various interventions
to fix the roads, the haulage by the articulated vehicles have not helped
matters. “I went out to inspect these roads and discovered that they are now in
the worst condition. To this end, we will soon come up with a law banning the
movement of these trucks especially those carrying excess loads”. Meanwhile, We
had previously reported that the former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu,
has said that the agitation for an independent Biafra state is grossly
affecting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the south-east.
"Buhari is a man full
of wisdom. He knows they [Nnia Nwodo & Co.] can never command their people,
so he will treat them with contempt. Buhari knows they are beggars, he will look
and laugh at them. They are coming back with shame. If he pity them, he will
give them something with oath. Their children should be morethan ashamed of
them. They are not honorable. Anything Buhari gave to them has a curse upon it.
It is a serious wage of blood. 
