Orji Uzor Kalu, the senator for Abia North, has openly acknowledged that his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) limits his ability to advocate for the long-standing demand for an Igbo presidency.
During an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ aired Wednesday evening, Kalu expressed his personal conviction that the South-East region deserves a chance at the nation’s highest office. However, he emphasized his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, aligning with the APC’s official stance.
“I belong to a party that has resolved to back President Tinubu for a second term,” Kalu explained. “Even though I believe it might be time for an Igbo president, those considerations are no longer practical because I am committed to a party that has endorsed President Tinubu as its candidate.”
Nonetheless, the former Abia State governor highlighted that principles such as fairness, justice, and equity should take precedence over the president’s ethnic origin.
“The Igbo people genuinely deserve the presidency,” he acknowledged. “But if a president can govern with impartiality, ensuring justice and equity for all regions, then the focus should not be on the president’s background.”
When pressed on whether President Tinubu has treated the South-East fairly, Kalu responded with caution, stating, “I’m not in a position to make a definitive judgment at this time. What I do know is that the constitutional rights of the region are being respected.”
He also defended Tinubu by recognizing the complexities and pressures inherent in leadership roles.
“Leadership comes with intense scrutiny and challenges from all directions,” Kalu remarked. “President Tinubu is actively working to manage these issues.”
