By Vivian Okejeme
The Coalition of Democratic Watchdogs for Electoral Reforms, has revealed that a recall process against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North senatorial district of Abia state, will be initiated.
The Coalition described the Senator who doubles as the Chief Whip of House of Senate as a serial betrayal of the Igbo race in general and the people of Abia north Senatorial district in particular.
The Director General of the Group, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, expressing his opinion, while addressing journalists in Abuja, Monday, as the nation prepares for the conduct of 2023 general elections.
The briefing, according to him, is necessary as true, fair and equitable representation has consistently eluded Nigerians across board, adding that the cardinal principle of civil society organizations globally is hinged on equity, fair representation of constituents and democratic principles.
Consequent to the above, he said, the quest for a true representation has compelled the coalition to look at some of the unguarded utterances of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
According to him, “in 2021, during the heated debate on Section 47 and 50(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended which dwells on electronic transmission of votes in the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor was one of the Senators who said in categorical terms that AbiaNorth had no network coverage. This was a blatant lie because Abia North has effective network coverage. It is also well known to Nigerians that Senator Orji Uzor voted against the electronic transmission of election results, an innovation introduced by INEC to reduce the rigging and manipulation of election results”.
He also said: “preparatory to the primary election that produced the Presidential candidate of political parties, the chief whip of the 9th Senate, Orji UzorKalu on camera displayed his loyalty to the Senate President; Dr. Ahmed Lawal. This was doneimmediately the APC party chairman, Adamumentioned that Ahmed Lawal was the consensus candidate. Kalu said that he would prefer to be a servant in the Aso Rock Villa, sweeping and serving Ahmed Lawal than exist as other Nigerians outside the Villa.
“For us as Igbos, we believe that such a statement from a man who is representing the good people of Abia North Senatorial district, doubling as the chief whip of the 9th Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria is derogatory and demeaning to his constituents, people of Igbo extraction and Nigerian citizens in general. Mr. Kalu has not only subjected himself to ridicule but has reduced his constituents to mere servants.
“Now, Nigerians who stood up and spoke vehemently against the Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim ticket opined that for peaceful coexistence of all Nigerian citizens, for equity and fairness as contained in the Federal Character, 1999 constitution as amended, it is an aberration for any political party to field two persons of same faith as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate respectively, as this is not consistent with fair representation and therefore could impair on national unity and peace.”
The Coalition wondered while the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and his decision to field Kashim Shetima as a running mate against wide condemnation and public outcry against a muslim/muslim ticket brought in yet another utterance from Mr. Kalu.
“On National television, Orji Uzor was seen saying that even if his position would be against that of his bishop as a catholic and his people in Abia North, that he prefers the muslim/muslim ticket for his party to win the 2023 election and moreover, the wife of Tinubu (a pastor) would become the first lady who invariably for him, is like a deputy President. In other words, Sen. Kalu’s position is that Christians would be represented even when the office of the first lady is not recognized by the constitution of federal republic of Nigeria.
“Now, Senator Kalu is from Abia North of Abia state where 100% of his constituents are Christians. Our firm belief is that the essence of representing a people is essentially to speak the mind of your constituents. But nay, Orji Uzor Kalu consistently without recourse to the yearnings and aspirations of his people, has demonstrated that his personal interest supersedes that of the people who voted him to power. Moreover, the manner at which Kalu switched loyalty, the somersault from Senator Ahmed Lawal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings to bare the integrity of Orji Uzor to question. The speed at which Kalu started singing praises for Tinubu against his earlier servant disposition for Lawal brings to conclusion, the man Orji Uzor as a man of double standard.”
