Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has revealed why he’s supporting the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, against the Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Peter Obi.
Speaking to journalists before the commencement of plenary on Tuesday, the lawmaker said the presidency is not a regional issue and could only be won with the support of other geo-political zones.
Kalu, who described Tinubu as a strategic leader, explained that his decision not to support Obi or any other South-East candidate is not personal, but based on party affiliation.
He noted that he was not against a president of Igbo extraction, stressing that the people of South East would be the most beneficiary of Tinubu`s presidency if he wins the 2023 general election.
The senator said, “Presidency is not a regional issue. I asked the political parties to zone the presidency to the south-east. When they didn’t do that, and since the presidency is not a regional issue, I had to withdraw.
“I have no problem with the Igbo man being president, but we have to do it with other Nigerians. If we don’t do it with other Nigerians, it will not work, no matter how popular you are. It’s the president of Nigeria, not the president of Igbo land.
“I’m an Igbo man to the core. I’m also a Nigerian to the core. If anyone from the south-east would have been nominated for the presidency, I would have been the one. So, it’s a party business. I have no grudges against anybody who is running.
“It is not personal. It is political and party-based. This thing is about the party winning elections. I have chosen to be in APC, why will I vote against Tinubu? It’s madness, and I’m not going to do it. Elections go along party line, not along the tribal line.
“But for now, our presidential candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu is strategic. He will make his presidency beneficial to the Igbo. The Igbo will be the biggest beneficiaries of Tinubu’s presidency.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Orji Uzor Kalu had also justified APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying the only way Bola Tinubu would win the 2023 presidential election is to field a Muslim running mate.
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