Kalu Picks Nomination Form To Run For Senate, Urges Jonathan To Retain Sambo

Former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has picked his nomination form to run for Abia North Senatorial seat on the platform of the PDP.  

This is coming as the former Abia Governor 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.

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 the running mate of the president are the enemies 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 shortly before travelling overseas yesterday, Kalu dismissed insinuations mak­ing the round that Jonathan was buckling under pressure from some quartets to con­sider the governor of Katsi­na , Alhaji Ibrahim Shema , the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu or the Jigawa State Gover­nor, Alhaji Sule Lamido as his running mate .

According to him “ 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. In addi­tion, he has also contributed to the party especially by maintaining peace and uni­ty in PDP especially in the North. Forget whatever any­one says, give it to Sambo, he remains a seasoned pro­fessional and a consummate politician.”

On the rumour that Jona­than was considering Muazu and other others as running mate , Kalu said :”I see that as a rumour. Our national chairman, Muazu is busy running the affairs of the party ahead of the forthcom­ing general elections. Re­member, PDP remains the largest party and as such, Muazu has a lot on his table. I know he is not thinking in the direction of political job­bers.

Anyone proposing Muazu as running mate to President Jonathan is an enemy of PDP. Jonathan/Sambo ticket remains the best.

I urge perpetrators of such rumour not to cause confu­sion among the trio of Jona­than, Sambo and Muazu. God has placed each and everyone of them in his rightful position.” On his ambition to run for the Abia North Senatorial seat , the former governor said :”

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. Gov T.A Orji and I 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 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. Be­fore venturing into politics I had been empowering my people same way when I was in public office, so based on this, I can rest as­sured of victory.”

Kalu said the chances of President Jonathan in the 2015 elections are bright when he declares interest affirming the president will not be intimated with the ex­pression of interest by Gen­eral Muhammadu Buhari to challenge him at the polls .

He said :” The victory of President Jonathan in 2015 is certain and has been des­tined by God. The declara­tion of Atiku and Buhari for President on the platform of APC is not in any way a threat to President Jona­than’s re election.

“Nigerians are solidly behind the President, ow­ing to the positive impact of the transformation agenda. Infrastructural regeneration, freedom of speech, gender equality, privatization and industrialization are some of the achievements that will earn President Jonathan a second term in office.

“In essence, it just fair to allow the President consoli­date his achievements of his first tenure. PDP is sure of victory in 2015, we are just praying to God to grant us life to witness the inaugura­tion of President Jonathan come May 29, 2015.”

He said the PDP is reach­ing out to aggrieved mem­bers to return to the fold .

Said he :” As the say­ing goes, one tree cannot make a forest and also the more, the merrier. For in­stance in South East, you can see that people like Chief Achike Udenwa was recently re-admitted.

Chief Peter Obi and Iro­ko, Olusegun Mimiko have joined the ruling party. It is a timely and welcome move. However, I will want the party to extend olive branch to other aggrieved members of PDP that are now in other political parties.”

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

His words “ 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, politi­cians are overheating the issue, though I feel very pained as a father too. How­ever, we must not forget that the President is trying his best and having sleepless nights over the abduction of these girls. We all need to work together without be­ing partisan to collectively salvage the situation.

“The bring back our girls campaign is commendable as they have created aware­ness and put government on its 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 strives 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.”