The news of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s withdrawal from the 2023 presidential race is now old and embedded in Nigeria’s memory. The Senate Chief Whip who is the highest political office holder in Igboland under the Buhari Administration, said he resigned in order to support his immediate boss who is angling for Nigeria’s number one political position.
The lesson from Orji Kalu’s U-turn disposition must be seen in a different light, particularly at a time where Nigerians pay very little attention to the principles of humanity such as friendship, trust, patience, commitment and sacrifice.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu even in his early business and political career days, had always been very loyal and committed to not just persons, but approved policies and programs in the course of his endeavours. At a higher level, these included members of his cabinet when he was governor of Abia State, former political colleagues such as ex governors and Presidents, and top business associates; as well as policies of government.
Kalu resigned because he wanted to strengthen the aspiration of the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan. He could not see themselves at opposing ends given the fact that they (Lawan and Kalu) were once close university schoolmates. We believe that the lesson for Nigerians here is that loyalty is far more important than the trappings of high offices.
It is not difficult to discern that today, many Nigerians who are clamoring for elective offices are busy stabbing their godfathers, masters, mentors and friends without recourse to the sanctity of past support and relationships. They have suddenly developed amnesia on their past foundations and lost the sweetness of those experiences which thrusted them into positions of power. Those with this trait are known from Rivers to Sokoto, Niger to Taraba States – all over the country. The irony of it all is that these individuals who do not cherish loyalty, the history of their rise to fortune, those who midwifed their present status and elevated heights during their political infancy, are very likely to deal recklessly with their former ‘ogas,’ should they rise to higher callings. They are good lip servicers and indeed rose by same methods. In actual fact, they hated their foundations and would not hesitate to distance from same (their godfathers), while deploying the powers of the Nigerian state to deal with their ailing masters should they attain the in 2023 presidency.
The Senator’s principles of dedication to friendship and loyalty must now be a subject for deeper study in the Nigerian humanities. Orji Kalu is tenacious in his seed-sewing approach to life and living. And we think this will earn great beneficial moments in future for the Majority Whip. For “there is a time for everything under the Sun,” it is said.
