2023: I’ll begin nationwide consultation at right time- Kalu

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Senate Chip Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Wednesday, said he would pursue his presidential ambition with politicians from other geopolitical zones of the country, adding that he would commence nationwide consultation at the right time.

Kalu stated this while addressing journalists after a plenary session at the National Assembly, as revealed via a post on his Facebook page.

He asserted that he is capable but not desperate to become the President of Nigeria in 2023, lamenting that the South East region was overdue to produce the next president of the country.

“Has the party zoned the ticket to the South East? I have said before that there are only two zones that have not been President -the South East and the North East. Once it’s zoned to the South East, I have the capacity and capability to roll out my campaign and rock like a hurricane.

“It’s overdue for an Igbo man to become a Nigerian President, I believe the South East should produce the next President and it’s going to happen,” the Senator said.

The former Abia State Governor also said that those who were against zoning the presidency to the South East and North East were not serious-minded and fair citizens of the country.

“They are not serious. A serious-minded person will like to be fair to Nigeria, to be fair to society and be fair to the atmosphere because this party is not owned by me or by you the press people. It is only APC people that can decide where the party ticket will go. If they zone it to the South East, I have all it takes to make a good President,” Kalu said

The Chief Whip stressed that his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday evening, was because their relationship had spanned many years before he became President. He disclosed that their discussions were on national issues with regards to security, electoral laws and the welfare of the country.

“This is not the first time I’m going to see the President. People usually go in the afternoon but I went in the night to avoid the press.

“I go there regularly. It’s a family affair and I went there to discuss national issues with regards to the security and well being of our country and also the issue of the electoral law and the discussion was very fruitful,” he added.

The APC chieftain expressed optimism on the party’s forthcoming convention scheduled for February 26, assuring Nigerians that the exercise will be free of chaos.

“The outcome will make Nigerians proud” he said.