By Barrister Sam Ogbonna
In the animal kingdom, the lion is dreaded and seen as the most powerful and most respected in the midst of others. The emergence of Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who is the Chief Whip of the current Senate, as a contestant for the President of the about to be constituted 10th Senate ought to be dreaded by those contesting same position because His Excellency, Orji Uzor Kalu has an intimidating profile that stands him out among his equals.
In the popular book of George Orwell, Animal Kingdom, he said and I quote,”all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”.This political bulldozer, trail blazer and Master Strategist, has the political experience, connection, contact, charisma and wherewithal to take the incoming 10th Senate to enviable heights. Experience,it is said is the best teacher and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu the Abia born Politician has paid his dues in APC that should qualify him to be given the opportunity to led the 10th Session of the Senate. OUK despite all odds and the power of incumbency exhibited by the ruling Party in Abia State,PDP, in 2019,Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was able to win his Senatorial Zone and gave the President above 25 percent,a battle that was not easy.
To prove his mettle and acceptability by the people,he emerged victorious again this time despite power of incumbency of PDP . Though, God has used the emergence of Labor Party to wipe away the tears and long yearnings of Abians, OUK remains a force to reckon with in Nigerian politics. OUK brought his wealth of experience in all facets of life as a Member of the Federal House of Representatives in 1992 through 1993 before the military struck. As two term governor of Abia State,he didn’t allow the workforce to suffer the type of untold hardship experienced now. His political appointees were living like bourgeois and even awarded petty jobs by way of contracts. In fact,he gave them free hands to operate and even his critics can attest to that. Thanks be to God that some of them have realized that OUK remains the best and have lent their support for his aspiration which by God’s grace would come through.
To cap it all and to lend my unflinching support to others, particularly, Asari Dokubo the King, allowing Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to emerge as the President of the 10th Senate Session would heal many broken bones in the South East.
OUK is a unifier and would use his amiable disposition to bring everyone to the round table. Denying South East Zone the position which is best found in Senator Orji Uzor Kalu would aggravate the pains of many who have been seeing the people as the most relegated and let me not believe that it is because of the civil war which I presume there was no victor no vanquished.
Among all the distinguished Senators jostling for the number three position in Nigeria, OUK is the most accessible and the president-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has known OUK for decades, ought to lend his support because, the devil you know is better the Angel you have just met or known.
OUK is not a Pretender like many who would turn to tiger as soon as they get what they want. OUK’s humility and respect for constituted authorities can even be attested to by the dumb and blind. I would want to believe that the President-elect can attest to the credibility and reliability of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
The NWC of APC ought to allow someone like OUK whose friendship cuts across the political length and breath of this country to emerge. His colleagues in the Senate and the incoming ones know that OUK has an open door policy and cannot disappoint them. OUK has the magic wand to ensure harmonious working relationship with the other arms of government without compromising the integrity of the hallowed Chamber.
As the battle for who would emerge rages, people should know that those who are claiming to be friendly now have not associated with them freely before now, unlike OUK who divides and dines with everyone, high and low, irrespective of tribe or tongue.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is a Nigerian whose friendship cuts across ethnic and political divide and deserves to be supported to emerge as the President of Senate come June, 2023.
Sam Ogbonna is an Umuahia based Legal Practitioner.
