By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka (Senior Correspondent, Lagos)
Former Abia State Governor and bigwig in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has emphatically restated his resolve not to seek any elective position, particularly the presidency in the 2019 general elections.
He declared that he will not contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 poll but rather, he will give him all necessary support to contest as president for a second term, adding that he is a staunch supporter of President Buhari and therefore can not contest against him in 2019.
He made this disclosure on Tuesday within the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos while responding to a call by a group of of Igbo Traders who were in court to express their solidarity with him, while urging him to contest the 2019 presidential election.
The group which stormed the premises of the Federal High court with varying placards praising Kalu’s philanthropic works, also urged him to contest for president.
The co-ordinator of the group, Chief Victor Amadi, while calling on the former Abia State governor to contest for president, described him as a detribalised Nigerian and a bridge builder who has the masses at heart.
Amadi said: “We want to use this opportunity to tell you that we are prepared to lead the Igbos and other Nigerians to support you in your future endeavour, in any political platform you want to use. We want to urge you to contest for the 2019 presidential election.
“We are being sincere, we are not here to flatter you. This is because we know you are one of the detribalised Nigerians. You are a bridge builder. That is why we have come here as delegates.
“We are prepared and we are very much available to mobilize the Igbos and other Nigerians to support your aspirations. If you are supporting President Buhari, we will collaborate with you and fall in line”.
Responding to the call, Chief Kalu said he had no intention of contesting for the presidency in 2019 but thanked the group for its support and concern.
He said as far as 2019 presidential race was concerned, he had already made his commitment to support President Buhari.
“I thank you very much. But I have already made my commitment to support President Buhari in 2019. That commitment is very strong. I supported him in 2003, despite the fact that I was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Of course, you know that was the beginning of my problem with the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I supported him openly despite the fact that we were in different parties. I know he is an honest man. He can do the job. He can separate those who stole Nigeria’s money from those who never did.
“But remember I am still a very young man and what will not happen in 2019 can happen some other time. I am very strong, I can do what you are asking me to do. I am not afraid of doing the job.
“But as long as President Buhari is running, I will back him up in the All Progressives Congress (APC). We are not going to change our party. Anyone who wants to leave the party can leave and anyone who wants to join can join. We welcome all Nigerians, even you traders. I am a trader like you as well and all my products are all over in the market. You know when I saw you people singing in the morning, I was irritated.
“This is a court of justice and we don’t want the court to take sides or to be sympathetic. I am not looking for sympathy. I have qualified lawyers, about five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, defending me here. So, I am not afraid of anything. If we follow the law, be rest assured that we will smile one day,” Kalu said.
