A coalition of many civil society organizations drawn across the country has tackled former Abia state Governor and serving Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu over his comments which sought to promote the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a text of media briefing signed by Dr. Nwakor Chibuzor which was made available to journalists in Abuja Thursday evening, the group under the auspices of Coalition of Democratic Watchdogs of Nigeria said such endorsement by Dr. Kalu shows signs of someone who is out of touch with prevailing arrangement as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
It could be recalled that the issue of choosing a running mate by the two main political parties (that is, the APC and the PDP) has dominated the media space and national discuss especially as the electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued notice to the effect that 17th June, 2022 is the deadline for the submission of names for the Vice Presidential Candidates for all political parties.
According to the watchdogs, “the fundamental issue is the combination in terms of the Muslim/Christian ticket or the Muslim/Muslim ticket. In other words, a Muslim from the North, and a Christian from the South or vice-vasa. This balance essential is to ensure that equitable representation of both Muslims and Christians alike in the nations highest executive arm of government.
”Moreover, the 1999 construction of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended provides for the Federal Character in order to ensure equity, balance and fare representation across the nation.
“You would all agree with me that the Nigerian state has never been this polarized, aligned and divided along religious and tribal sentiments and affiliations. Hence both the AREWA and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)has warned against the looming jeopardy that would associate the Muslim/Muslim ticket by the APC in the country if Bola Tinubu make the mistake of fielding the Muslim/Muslim ticket”.
They therefore wondered why Dr. Kalu is out to promote such an agenda.
The rest of the text of their address reads:
Now, the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, an estwhile governor of Abia State who is a Christian, emphatically stated his unalloyed support for a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. We are still wondering why he tow this part of dishonor.
He further emphasized that his own interest is for the APC to win the election. In other words, for the Chief Whip, equity does not matter, fair representation for Christians and Muslims alike doesn’t matter, the provision of Federal Character as entrenched in the Nigerian constitution does not matter, for him, it is all about winning election.
Recall also that the same Orji Uzor Kalu had previously declared his unalloyed support for the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan. He even stated that he prefers to be a cleaner in the Aso Rock Villa provided that Ahmed Lawan wins as President of the federal republic of Nigeria.
We doubt if any christian has embarked on this unholy mission in Nigerian history. How did the people of Abia North Senatorial District deteriorate to this level? It is unfortunate because the good people of Abia North does not deserve to have their representative tow this line.
By this utterance of Orji Kalu, the people of Abia North who are 100% Christians should immediately commence a recall of Orji Kalu from the Senate as it is evident that he is not representating Abia North anymore. People like Orji Uzor should not be found in public service as his personal interest conflicts with the public demands of his office. For oscillating like a pendulum, from Ahmed Lawan to Tinubu, and to Muslim/Muslim ticket, Uzor Kalu has demonstrated inconsistency and no recourse whatsoever to the people of Abia North he is representing. Therefore, he should be treated as his ill-conduct depicts. Orji Uzor Kalu is an anti-christian, anti-Igbo and anti Abia North.
