Why Orji Kalu stayed away from State’s congress – Aide

More facts are beginning to emerge on why the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu was conspicuously absent at the ward, local government and state congresses of All Progressives Congress, APC in Abia State on Saturday.

According to the Special Adviser to the former governor, Maduka Okoro, Senator Kalu did so to avoid being accused of planting his political allies at various leadership positions of the party in Abia.

While the faction loyal to the immediate past chairman, Donatus Nwankpa produced Honourable Acho Obioma as the chairman, the faction loyal to another stalwart of the party in the state, Ikechi Emenike produced as chairman Enyi Harbor.

In a chat on Sunday however, the Senator’s media aide said the decision to stay away from the congress is in line with his avowed decision to let the people drive the process in line with their conviction.

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While insisting that Sen. Kalu is a Democrat of undisputed repute, Okoro added that the emergence of two factions is not something to worry about, maintaining that the issues will be resolved in a table of dialogue.

“The two chairmen that emerged are all Abians. They are our people and like brothers, we will all lay our differences to rest in the coming days and move on.

“As we speak, both factions are reaching out to the leader of the party, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and he remains the leader till a governor of APC emerges.

“My principal, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu congratulates both chairmen and I can tell you, all the squabbles will be put behind us” he said.

Speaking on his principal’s preferred faction, Okoro said he is not in a position to speak on that.

According to him, upon arrival to Abuja, Sen. Kalu will meet the national leadership of the APC on who the authentic chairman of the party is in Abia.

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“They are the ones that assigned the committee members to come to Abia to conduct congress. So whatever Mai Mala Buni-led leadership of APC says regarding who the chairman is, will automatically influence Sen. Kalu’s position” he added.

It is however not clear if Sen. Kalu will lean his support with the Emenike faction, even as Okoro insists that his principal remains neutral till he meets with the national leadership of the party.

Speaking further, Okoro noted that Sen. Kalu’s alignment will automatically have members of OUK Movement and Reality Organisation, the leading political movements in the state queue behind him.