By Kenneth Udeh
Winner of the keenly contested Abia-North Senatorial election Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu yesterday met with APGA Chieftain and 3rd runner up in the Abia-North Senatorial election Chief David Ogba also known as Bourdex.
It can be recalled that Kalu was declared the winner of Abia North Senatorial District in the Febuary 23rd Presidential/National Assembly elections.
The former Governor polled a total 31,203 votes to defeat the incumbent, Ohuabunwa who polled 20,801 votes and the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance Chief David Ogba who scored 11,410 votes.
Dr. Orji Kalu who had just returned to the state after his brief visit to the nation’s Abuja capital arrived the Abriba residence of the APGA Chieftain at exactly 7:15 PM. He was warmly received by the APGA Chieftain and Senatorial candidate both of them immediately proceeded upstairs for a closed door meeting.
Emerging from the closed door meeting Kalu recalled his long apolitical relationship with Chief Bourdex while also stating his resolve and total readiness to establish a formidable collaboration for the upliftment of Abia-North and Abia State at large. According to the Former Governor he and Chief Bourdex had maintained long standing family ties despite their political differences.
He said : “I and bourdex are brothers beyond our political affiliations, in-fact his family and I have maintained close ties for many years. His children and my children are best of friends to the extent that their visit each other timely.
Elections has been conducted and a winner has been democratically choosen. Irrespective of our political differences I and Bourdex have decided to join hands to move Abia-North and Abia state forward.
As stakeholders in our various political parties we have realised that their is so much to be done especially in the area of infrastructure and empowerment of our people in Abia-North because of people have suffered enough. We have decided to jointly work together towards the emancipation of our people. Let me also salute the statesmanship of Chief Bourdex during and after the election it is worthy of emulation.
Kalu also reinstated his commitment to use his position as the Senator of Abia-North to facilitate rapid development of not just the Senatorial Zone but Abia State in general.
In his response the APGA Chieftain and Senatorial Candidate,Chief Ogba endorsed Dr. Kalu’s victory and promised to maintain their long standing family relationship. He also stated his willingness to work with Dr. Kalu for the progress of Abia-North and Abians in general.
In his words: “Although Dr. Kalu and I belong to different political parties but we have both come a very long way from many years back. I have accepted him as my Senator representing Abia-North.
Just like he (Dr. Kalu) said elections has come and gone and a winner has emerged.
As a party we put in all of our very best but the people have spoken with their votes and INEC has declared a winner. We have since decided to move forward because what matters most now is working towards rebuilding all that has been destroyed and also empowering our people .
I congratulate Dr. Kalu on his resounding victory, it is a victory for the people. I want to assure Dr. Orji Kalu that I and my family would stand by him. Even if the result is challenged at the election petitions tribunal I would still support him, because the result of the election is a true reflection of the people’s mandate.
In my capacity I would ensure that we work assiduously together towards the general upliftment of our people.
Also present were Mr. Festus U. Mbisiogu CEO blue diamond logistics, Hon. Chief Paul O. Uche APC Chieftain, Hon. Nnanna Kalu, Prince Flavian Enwezoh, former Member House Reps Aba North.
