Picks nomination form for Senate
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Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has said that the declaration of Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar and General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) for the President on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC, is not in any way a threat to President Jonathan’s re election.
Speaking in an interview yesterday on his departure overseas at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Kalu said the chances of President Jonathan in the 2015 elections are brighter when he declares his interest, affirming that the President will not be intimated with the expression of interest of General Muhammadu Buhari to challenge him at the polls.
Kalu also urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to buckle under pressure to drop Vice President Namadi Sambo as his running mate when he declares to seek re- election in 2015.
This is coming just as the former Abia State governor picked his nomination form to run for Abia North Senatorial seat under the platform of the PDP.
Kalu described those pushing for the dropping of Sambo as political jobbers who ate only out to create disaffection in the seat of power.
He said those routing for other persons as the running mate of the president are the enemy of the ruling party.
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 and either Alhaji Adamu Muazu or the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido as his running mate.
He stated that dropping the Vice President would amount to a disincentive for the loyalty that Arc. Sambo has demonstrated as a good deputy and ally who is not ambitious to rock the boat.
Speaking on his ambition to run for the Abia North Senatorial seat, the former Abia state governor stated that, “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 a better representation. I and Gov 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 ground for all aspirants.
Before venturing into politics I had been empowering my people; the same thing applies to when I was in public office. So, based on this, I am rest assured of victory.’’