Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has disclosed the reasons for his private visit to Niger State.
Kalu was in Minna, Niger State on Monday to pay a visit to the former Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello and Emir of Minna, Dr Umar Faruq.
Kalu who responded to questions from members of the press on national issues at the residence of General Abubakar explained that his visit to Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Sani Bello and Emir Umar Faruq were on a private ground, not as Chief Whip of the Senate.
Asked his opinion on the call from the Senate to sack the service chiefs and If his Visit was in connection to the call,
Kalu said, “well I am just in Minna to see my two bosses. To first congratulate President Babangida on his health and also to welcome former President Abdulsalami on the success of the minor health operation he had recently.
“As regards the change of service chiefs, the issue will be addressed through a collective decision of all members of the Senate, I am not here today as the Chief Whip of the Senate. I am in Minna on a private visit as a private citizen but once I am informed about the decision taken by the Senate I would make it known to the public if necessary.
The Senators are 109 in number, and we have democracy deeply entrenched in the Senate where we all discuss and agree on issues collectively.The Senate has not taken a position so if I comment on it , I may be wrong.
Further speaking, he said , “the nation’s security has become a huge challenge which have affected everybody . The senate are already addressesing the issue. The security challenge has defiled almost every solution, I am sure that Mr. President is very worried and angry with the current situation. Our President is a top class Army General (rtd) and a former military commander. I see a form of sabotage; but the issue of sabotage will be addressed.”He said.
Asked if he has an ambition to contest for President, Kalu said he is only interested in returning to the Senate .
“For now I am Senator and principal officer of the National Assembly, and if given the opportunity I would like to return to the Senate but if I am also given the opportunity to serve the country I won’t refuse.
On issue of zonning the Presidency, the former governor described the matter as one that would be addressed by the political party. Senator Kalu pointed out that the party’s decision remained supreme.
In his words; it’s an issue of party, the parties have every right to decide the zone which would produce the candidate to represent it in the polls.
The Chief Whip also dismissed the insinuation that there was crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as result of zoning.
He said ”In APC we have no issue of zoning, anybody can contest for election, zoning does not exist in the party’s constitution. As long it is not a constitutional matter the Presidential bid remains an open basket which anybody can vie for.” He said
