Chief Orji Kalu
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
A former Governor of Abia State who is now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Orji Uzor Kalu has been dragged before a Bauchi High Court for refusing to declare interest to contest for the 2023 Presidency under any of the political parties in the country.
The suit was filed by Comrade Aliyu Ladan and Lawan Abdullahi before Bauchi State High Court Number three Presided over by Justice Mohammed A Sambo.
While Addressing a Press Conference in Bauchi over the weekend, the Plaintiffs asserted that only Uzor Kalu can rescue Nigeria as a country which is in deep crisis as Nigerians are suffering presently and only a strategic thinker like him can rescue the country.
They said that, “We know his capacity to change the scenario, his capacity to change things from negative to positive, He has done it in Abia state, despite its challenges Kalu turned the people of Abia into good people in Nigeria, because of his laudable achievements and leadership capacity”. ,
They further claimed that, “we have entered in to agreement with him last 2nd February 2021 that he will contest for president but he is reluctant to declare his interest”. ,
The Plaintiffs added that, “Kalu is a person with all the capacity and capability to change the narratives of a nation, he is a man of purpose and foresight , a mentor to many citizens, a dynamic Nigerian, an advocate of justice, a revolutionary politician, a consummate administrator, master strategy, he is a blessing not only to Igbo but the entire Nigerians “
According to them, ” We are in court because we want the court to ask him to respect our agreement, to contest the Presidency of Nigeria, we want the Court to compel Kalu to declare his interest to run in the 2023 General election, as a presidential candidate, under the platform of the APC or anyother Party, we want the court to direct Kalu to commence preparations and put all the necessary and put all machinery in place, for the purpose of contesting as Presidential candidate”
The plaintiffs also said that many credible groups across the six geopolitical zones are drumming support for Kalu to vie for president in 2023 because they found him worthy to deliver good governance to the nation. They said that credibility, honesty, and the capacity to deliver endeared Kalu to all Nigerians saying, “Kalu has had deep relationships, with all Nigerians and he never disappointed in any of these relations, he has known many Nigerians, and had so many businesses across North and Southern parts of the country for decades and has never disappointed anybody in terms of buying and selling, because he is a man of his words, a trustworthy person”.
They added that, “we find him worthy because we know whatever he says, he will do, and whatever he says he will not do, he will not do it, he is sincere to Nigerians, and Nigerians are always sincere to him”
“So, for people who gave me the opportunity to be their brother at no cost when I was nothing, and when I am somebody, is it good to leave them? The answer is no.
The Plaintiffs described him as a presidential material with experience in the private sector, executive and legislative arms of government and urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to commence a process of adopting him as the sole candidate of the party.
They stressed that Kalu’s managerial skill, experience, and national appeal put him in the best position to rule Nigeria in 2023.
When the case was mentioned, the Presiding Judge, Justice Sambo ordered the Plaintiffs to serve Kalu with the originating summons in Abuja outside the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the suit to 27 January 2022 for hearing in the suit number BA/331/2021.
