The National President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Shettima Yerima, has cautioned the North over the danger of abandoning Senator Orji Kalu to his fate.
This is following the continuous incarceration of the former governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate who doubles as Senator representing Abia North Senatorial zone.
Yerima stated that it was unfair to have allowed some party big wigs had their way on Kalu who, according to him was a long-time ally of the north
Speaking yesterday, with newsmen in Kaduna, Yerima frowned at the attitude of northern leaders over Kalu’s incarceration, which he said had brought suspicion and distrust on the leaders, even as he wondered how Kalu, who had genuinely fought for the unity of the country, be allowed to be made a sacrificial lamb.
The youth leader recalled that in the history of Nigeria, no southerner has deeply supported the north the way Kalu had done.
He said: “Kalu has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria’s economy. In the South-East, Kalu has also worked very hard for the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress; has been in the forefront of promotion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and policies and should be appreciated instead.”
“On several occasions, Kalu has proven in acts and deeds, how detribalised and generous he has been to both the North and West. Despite being Igbo, he has extended the same commitment he has given to his people to other parts of the country without prejudice.”
“The North cannot claim to be unaware of the reasons for Kalu’s predicaments. It would amount to betrayal and posterity will definitely be unfair to the entire North. The North is known for sustaining friendship, we are not known as people who could sacrifice friendship for political gains. We don’t believe in forgetting the past because it’s part of our lives.”
“Kalu holds several titles in the North and has been a very strong ally of the North. His friendship with President Buhari dates back many years, as well as retired Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar and several others.
“We shouldn’t be proud of his incarceration; we should be ashamed of allowing some people have their way at his expense.
“The hands may have seized yesterday, but definitely not tomorrow. It is important that Northern and South-Western leaders overlook whatever motivated his incarceration and intervene now,” Yerima said.
When NewTelegraph asked why he was so much concerned about Kalu’s friendship with the North, Yerima said that tomorrow belonged to those who can hear it coming, adding that as a Northerner, he was very much concerned about tomorrow.
