Kenneth Udeh
Members of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), Reality Organisation worldwide and the OUK Movement reaffirmed their allegiance to the political aspirations of the Senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Converging at the Lawmaker’s Igbere Country home in Bende LGA on Sunday,leaders of the Abia-North chapter of the ruling APC, Reality Organisation and Abia’s largest socio-political group, OUK Movement re-dedicated their loyalty to the former Abia Governor citing his leadership style and development strides in their Senatorial zone.
Local Government and ward executives of the three groups who assembled at the behest of the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation to receive their share of his annual Yuletide packages lauded the Senator’s philanthropic endeavours which they attested to be non-political since its inception I986 before he joined politics.
Speaking on behalf of their members the Local Government Chairmen of the APC who addressed newsmen highlighted the infrastructural projects like schools, road, water boreholes built by Senator Kalu all the 448 communities in Abia-North, promising to remain committed to Lawmaker inorder to benefit more.
They lauded Kalu for his annual Yuletide philanthropic gestures which they said has become a norm. According to them, this year’s programme is coming at the right time considering the current economic realities.
Abia State Chairman of Abia’s largest socio-political group, OUK Movement, Hon. Ojisi Iro Ogbaja commended Kalu for sustaining development at the Grassroots. Ogbaja who benefited from the 25, 000 bags of rice and cash grants distributed by Kalu praised the Senator’s generosity.
He explained the impact of Kalu’s gesture;
“Orji Kalu is practicalitising his love for the at the Grassroots and he has changed the norm by personally distributing the items directly to the beneficiaries by himself.
“This is very wonderful that people will witness what is going to avoid foul play. To be honest it will make a very huge impact at the Grassroots, because the OUK Movement is a Grassroots oriented structure.
“We have direct touch with the people because we believe that every political alignment starts from the ward. The ward is the base and that is where we are focused. Senator Orji Kalu is a Grassroots person and down to earth.
“Since he became Senator the story is different, despite his infrastructural development initiatives he decided to also impact directly on the people through the provision of food items.
Speaking on the strength of the organisation’s structure across the state, Ojisi expressed upbeat that the Political structure remains unrivaled in the state adding that its membership strength has continued to expand across every nook and cranny of Abia.
Additionally, Ojisi acknowledged Kalu’s tenure at the Senate which he said has been an eye opener to their constituents by making them realise that Lawmakers had the capacity to build infrastructure as against what their former National Assembly representatives told them that it was impossible.
Ojisi pledged the organisation’s loyalty;
“The business of politics deals with human beings which you cannot manufacture or import from any country and you need people to succeed in the business of politics.
“OUK Movement has no rival as far as Abia State is concerned. We proved it when President Tinubu came to campaign in Abia , they say it clearly. We are in every community across Abia State , it’s not about Abia North only.
“His continuity will favour us not just as a Political structure but the people in all areas because of his impact. Before now we never knew a Senator can attract roads, water, schools, but Orji Kalu has opened our eyes and orientation.
“He has set a very high standard for whosoever that will take over from him whenever he leaves politics. We believe he is done yet and that 2027 is guaranteed the Senate seat of Abia North is no go area for any other person.
The consistency of Senator Kalu received the commendation of the Umunneochi LGA APC Chairman, Prince Ugochukwu Ezekwesiri who also noted that Kalu has been good ambassador of the party at the National Assembly based on his achievements in Abia-North.
Ugochukwu publicly known as “Duke of Umunneochi” also pledged to support the future aspirations of the Lawmaker;
“What we have witnessed today is an example of true leadership. We have known Orji Kalu to be a Senator of the people as he has done it again like how he normally does it and even better. Today he has proven to the party that he is representing them well.
“We thank and appreciate our Senator for this largesse and we promise him that we shall always follow him like we started right from 1998 when he started politicking and we shall continue to follow him.
“He has never failed elections in Umunneochi since he started contesting and he will never lose any election in our local government. Whatever that is, the interest of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu will make it happen because we appreciate him and still want him to do more.
Reference was made to the ranking Senator’s contributions to the fortunes of the party in the zone by the Bende LGA APC Chairman , Chief Ulu Onwuchekwe. Ulu chronicled how Kalu mobilised his personal resources to win the zone’s Senate, House of Representatives and Assembly seats in favour of the Party in 2019.
Chief Ulu told the Party’s National Leadership that APC in the South-East will be safe under Kalu;
“Even those that are not in APC as long as you’re from Abia-North you’re entitled to receive all the items. We are grateful for Senator Orji Kalu. He is a blessing to Nigeria not only Abia-North.
“If APC wants the control of the entire South-East, he should be saddled with the leadership of the party. This is a man that started financing the party with his personal funds in 2017.
“We should ask where APC is Abia Central or Abia South but APC is only in Abia-North that speaks volume because he is the only person that can bring APC to take over those Senatorial Districts and the entire South-East. The party is safe under Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; he has an unbeatable understanding of the Politics and passion of the party.
Chairman of the Party in Ohafia, Prince Emma Nwosu thanked Kalu for the Yuletide packages stressing that it is a demonstration of Love that will impact on the people especially those who are finding it hard under the current economic realities.
Emma Nwosu praised Kalu for his legislative impacts;
“As a matter of fact we pray for him to continue to serve his people, I’m speaking the minds of the constituents of Ohafia LGA. He is a great man who has the concern of his people at heart and he has performed in all ramifications.
Hon John Ikechukwu Okorie, Chairman of the Party in Arochukwu Local government said that the people had no Regrets for voting for Kalu to return to the Senate.
Describing Kalu’s tenure as eventful , he disclosed the resolve of the majority to back his Political aspirations;
He said; “You can see that people are happy and are not regretting that we voted for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to represent us at the Senate and he has performed excellently well. We pray to Almighty God to continue to bless him.
Ikechukwu also referred to as “John Million” mentioned projects facilitated by the Kalu;
“When you come to our roads in Abia-North starting from Arochukwu he has built so many roads, when you go to Itumbuzor, if that road was not constructed Arochukwu people cannot get to Umuahia but today within 1 hour and 20 mins you are already in Umuahia all because of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. We pray to God to bless and keep him for us.
“Majority of the people of people have said that they’ll support his Political ambition in 2027
On his part Chairman of renowned socio-political group, the Reality Organisation Barrister Peter Ndukwe encouraged Kalu to remain steadfast in his philanthropic and public service duties. He emphasised that the organisation, APC and the OUK Movement are working in unison towards a common purpose.
Ndukwe reiterated the organisation’s resolve to support Kalu’s endeavours;
“This is not new and has become a norm. The OUK Movement is one family. Honestly. In challenging times like this , this is what is expected of a leader. He has shown example as a leader our prayer is that we will sustain this programme and God will give him the strength to sustain this development and his aspirations will be realised.