Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Orji Kalu

Lawan, Kalu Bid Tearful Farewell In Senate’s Valedictory Session
It was an emotional moment for lawmakers as the Senate held its valedictory session on Saturday.
At the event well attended by lawmakers, the Senators took turns to recount their experiences in the 9th National Assembly.
Vice President Kashim Shettima of Borno Central and Nigeria’s First Lady Remi Tinubu, and outgone Senate President Ahmad Lawan were some of the lawmakers present.
Earlier today, I received the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, both of them Senators in the ninth Senate who had come to attend the valedictory session of the Senate. pic.twitter.com/qJNuK8AL1l
In his valedictory speech, Shettima urged incoming senators to work for the betterment of Nigeria as the lawmakers elect their leaders.
“To my incoming colleagues, I will leave you with a parable, ‘the stability of this nation is superior to the stability of our pockets’. On Tuesday, let us vote wisely, let us vote for the Nigerian nation,” the vice president said.
The First Lady, who said she contemplated retiring from politics, attributed her stay in the Senate to God.
“God sustained me for three terms, from the 7th assembly, 8th assembly, and 9th assembly and I am still confused myself how I have been able to continue this journey,” she said.
“At the time, I even thought that let me retire and begin to face my family because serving the nation takes a lot of sacrifices and it starts with a sacrifice from your home, your children, even your better half. It takes a lot of sacrifices to want to give time to serve the nation. At the same, it’s a great privilege for all of us that are here.”
On his part, the immediate past Senate President Lawan praised his colleagues for their support during his tenure as their leader.
The lawmaker, who was quite emotional towards the end of his remark, recalled the various feats achieved by the Senate despite the challenges and said this was impossible without their backing.
“I thank you, all my colleagues, for voting me to be the President of the Senate. It has been an honour and a privilege for me to serve as a member of this revered legislative body and to preside over its activities at a defining moment in our history,” he said.
“Esteemed colleagues, today, our stewardship in the 9th Senate comes to an end. As the cliché goes, all good things come to an end,” Lawan said.
“We do not depart with regrets but rather with a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that we made our modest contributions towards building a better and prosperous Nigeria.”
A former Abia State governor Orji Kalu was also quite emotional during his valedictory speech.
He thanked the lawmakers for standing by him during his trying times.
“Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money can buy. I’m not a thief. Those that put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me yet I survived it and I’m in the senate with you,” he said.
“I have never lacked, while I was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money that they used in forming that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief,” the Abia lawmaker added.
“People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents. I want to thank my colleagues for giving me these four years of uninterrupted support. This country is not fair.”
June 11, 2023
S’East APC Ratifies Suspension of Orji Kalu, Ken Nnamani, Onyeama, others
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Southeast Zone has ratified the suspension of some leaders of the party accused of anti-party activities in Enugu and Abia States.
The Zonal Secretariat of the party stated that the ratification followed the South East Executive Meeting of the APC on April 16, 2023.
National Vice Chairman (Southeast) of the party, Ijeomah Arodiogbu said that they agreed that, in order to strengthen APC in the zone, “the party must enforce discipline amongst its members.”
In Enugu state, those found guilty of anti-party activities by their Ward Executives have been ratified by the Zonal State Executive.
They include; former Senate President, Sen Ken Nnamani; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; former Gov Sullivan Chime; former Speaker of Enugu state House of Assembly, Hon Eugene Odo; Director General Voice of Nigeria, Mr Osita Okechukwu and former Commissioner in Enugu state, Barr Joe Mammel.
Others are; SA to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Flavour Eze; former chairman of the party in the state, Ben Nwoye; former deputy state chairman, A. C. Udeh; Obodoeze Ocho; Chukwudi Igwe; Kingsley Uduji; former Military gov, Joe Orji; Mr. Maduka Arum (A.K.A Mama) and Chidera Obed.
Those whose suspension was ratified from Abia State are Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Hon Sam Nkeire, Hon. Uche Sampson Ogah, Senator Nkechi Nworgu, amongst others.
While responding to the ratification of the suspension of the party chieftains from Enugu, the Publicity Secretary of APC in Enugu State, Chief Ezeanyawu Michael, said the action was “a right step in the right direction.”
“I want to further use this opportunity to call on the APC leadership, at both the state and national levels, not to relent in its efforts to rid the party of saboteurs.”
May 4, 2023
Without Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket, APC May Not Win In 2023 – Orji Kalu
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, has proposed a Muslim-Muslim ticket as a critical factor for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the presidential election in 2023.
He believes the ruling party may lose the election if it fails to go for the option of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, considering the present situation it has found itself.
Senator Kalu made the remarks on Wednesday in an interview with journalists at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
“If we don’t play Muslim-Muslim (ticket), we are in trouble,” he stated. “It will be difficult to win the election because the only thing left for Ahmed Tinubu today is to play Muslim-Muslim.
“What is wrong with Muslim-Muslim ticket? I don’t see anything wrong. There is nothing wrong with a Christian-Christian ticket also, it depends on the condition.
“The condition that we have found ourselves today is that you cannot play two minorities – Tinubu is a minority Muslim from the South and if you put a Christian from the North, it is a minority Christian from the North. What I am telling you is sincerely from my mind; it is not the position of our party.”
The lawmaker stressed that there was nothing wrong if the APC decides to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the election.
He argued that it was impossible for a southern minority Muslim and a northern minority Christian to win a presidential election in Nigeria.
According to Senator Kalu, the priority of the ruling party should be winning the presidential election in 2023 and not the religious and ethnic affiliation of its vice presidential candidate.
He thanked President Buhari for ensuring a level playing ground for all candidates at the party’s presidential primary election.
“If I am in Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s situation – the wife is a senior pastor in a Pentecostal church, I will go (for a) Muslim-Muslim ticket,” the lawmaker said. “The most important thing is for the party to win.
“Already the wife is a pastor and they have been living together for over 50 years. She’s already like a deputy president, if I’m to say; I am saying my opinion, this is Orji Kalu’s opinion. You cannot deny me my opinion, but you can also play a Christian-Christian ticket, depending on the scenario.”
June 15, 2022
2023: Orji Kalu Wins APC Senatorial Ticket
Chief Orji Uzor-Kalu, has won the ticket of the All Progressive Congress to represent the Abia North senatorial district for a second time.
He polled a total number of 777 to emerge unopposed following the stepping down of his opponent, Barr. Fabian Nwankwo.
The returning officer for senatorial primary election, Chief Paul Onwuka, declared him winner in Ebem Ohafia, where the election was held on Saturday.
In his acceptance speech, Kalu dedicated his victory to the people of the district and promised to attract more projects to the district.
Kalu commended Barr. Nwankwo, for his decision to drop his ambition, saying it is in the interest of the constituency.
Details later…
May 28, 2022
2023: Orji Kalu withdraws from Presidential race, gives reason
Chief Whip of the House of Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has announced decision to withdraw from the 2023 presidential race.
The Lawmaker who was an aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC stated this in a statement he personally signed on Monday.
He explained that his decision followed inability of the two major political parties to zone their ticket to the South East for justice and fairness.
The former governor of Abia State said he has picked ticket to run for Abia North Senatorial zone in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Kalu called on his supporters across the nation to the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan who joined the presidential race on Monday.
The statement reads partly, “Since there is no zoning and the contest is open to all Nigerians , I officially withdraw from presidential contest in 2023. I have also picked ticket to run for Abia North Senatorial zone and to complete the good work I started in Abia North .
“I urge all my friends , allies and supporters in the APC to toe the line of justice by supporting Senator Ahmad Lawan , a North Easterner for the presidential ticket of the APC”.
May 9, 2022
2023: Why I withdrew from presidential race — Orji Kalu
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday, pulled out of the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, urging the South West and South South to support a South East candidate in 2023.
Senator Kalu, in a statement titled ‘2023 Presidency: The Fairness I Know, warned that if power should come to the South and not the South East, the essence for which the six geopolitical zones were created is long dead.
The statement reads: “It is my desire and intention to run for the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am committed to this pursuit, but I can’t make an official declaration to this regard without the full support of other regions. Everywhere in the world, politics is situational and that of Nigeria is exceptionally situational.
“The situation in Nigeria is that without the support of other regions, it would amount to a shadow chase for a South Easterner to be President. This is the reason I have been in the frontline of the call that the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should zone their presidential tickets to the South East as they did for the South West in 1999. In the absence of this zoning, I shall return to the Senate and stay away from the presidential contest. The reality is that the North is more advantageous to win elections in this democratic setting.
“I am even shocked with the number of aspirants coming from the South West and the South South . It is embarrassing that these aspirants (APC and PDP) have no single respect and concern for the South East. I had thought they would think about the South East; I thought they would support us. The amount of money being spent by these aspirants is alarming and they have forgotten that money alone cannot buy the presidency.
“It has become a joke to an ordinary Nigerian who hears Southern commentators and aspirants rooting for a Southern President on the premise of fairness, equity and justice.
“How can you talk about these morals when you are not even fair to your own brothers?
“If there is anything like “fairness”, “equity” and “justice”, it should be the entire South pushing for a president of South East extraction. Anything less than that is “hypocritical”, “unjustifiable”and “inordinate”. Some ‘persons’ are even claiming God’s anointed choice in 2023 .
Unfortunately, it is not all prayers that God answers; at least not inordinate ones.
What moral justification does a Southerner who refused to be fair to his brothers have against a Northerner running for president? It will be very insensitive , unreasonable and disrespectful for any Southern man to criticize a presidential aspirant from the North on the ground that the North has done eight years and power should return to the South.
The South West and the South South have successfully completed their tenures as ‘President and Vice President’.They should have the courage to support their brothers from the South East. If the next president after President Muhammadu Buhari does not come from the South East , there would be nothing unfair and unjust if he/she comes from Daura
.
“This country belongs to all of us and the unity of the country should be paramount. If not for selfishness and greed, how can you say that where a president comes from does not matter simply because you don’t want to support a president of Nigeria from the South East, but turn around to clamor for a power shift to the South? How do we explain this to the younger generation? Let the wise and courageous stay firm on their convictions and not swing on the two sides of the Atlantic.
“If you are convinced that where a president comes from does not matter, let Nigerians not hear you clamour for power shift. Be brave to encourage everyone to run , including President Buhari’s kinsmen. But if you have conscience and believe in equality, then you should support the South East region that is yet to produce a president. That is what I consider as fairness.
“The two regions that are yet to produce a President are South East and North East. If this means anything to Nigerians, the APC and PDP should be fair enough to prioritize these regions. If power should come to the South and not the South East or North and not the North East, the essence for which the six geopolitical zones were created is long dead .
“To Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Edwin Clark, Deji Adeyanju and a host of others who have stood firm in their support for their brothers in the South East, posterity will be kind to you.”
April 27, 2022
Kalu Urges APC To Reveal Presidential Zoning Formula
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) to reveal the zoning formula of the party ahead of the 2023 primary elections.
This was even as he revealed that he would only run for the office of the president if the party zones it to the Southeast.
The former governor of Abia State in a statement issued in Abuja said the revelation has become extremely important as it will help to direct aspirants on the right path to follow and in accordance with the demands of the party.
Kalu, in the statement he signed on Sunday, noted that the pattern used in conducting the last party convention was commendable and should be emulated in future contests in the party.
He said: “As the presidential primary election approaches, the issue of zoning is once again central and, as usual, contentious. The party is gearing towards making forms available for different elective positions and it is important that the party, as a matter of urgency, reveal her zoning plans for intending aspirants.
“The zoning of offices is very important as it will not only show light on the path of contenders but also save the party from unnecessary disagreements and litigations after primaries.
“My earlier calls and that of other political leaders, stakeholders, opinion moulders, amongst others for the need of sensitivity to the Southeast region that have been excluded from the presidency should be a concern to all well-meaning Nigerians with conscience.
“The year 2023 is really a good time to tweak our democratic experiment and create everlasting history in such a way that shows sensitivity to the country’s cultural uniqueness and make all regions feel a sense of belonging. It is time to strengthen the unity of the country by making a Southeasterner president of Nigeria. There is absolutely no better time for it than now.
“In our country today, having built a formidable spread across regions, I consider myself the most de-tribalised Nigerian with rich experience in economy, business, politics, security, and sports to lead the people and manage the economy. I shall be running for the office of the president if the party zones it to the Southeast.
“However, in the absence of the zoning to the Southeast, I understand the supremacy of the party and shall abide by the decision of the party,” the Senate Chief Whip said
On the unity of the country, Kalu encouraged Nigerians to do away with tribalism and all factors that prevent the achievement of national unity in Nigeria.
“Despite that Nigeria is facing serious challenges in the maintenance of security and national unity, we should understand that we are made to stay together as a society. I believe in the unity of this country because we are better as one.
“If the potentials of the citizens of the country are adequately harnessed, we will see more reasons to embrace each other and win together. We are therefore required to stand strong and forget all other factors such as tribalism, hatred among the other factors that prevent the achievement of national security and unity in Nigeria,” Kalu stated.
April 3, 2022
Why Every Politician, Civil Servant Should Go To Prison – Orji Kalu
Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, believes it is necessary for politicians and civil servants in Nigeria to go to prison.
Kalu, a presidential aspirant and lawmaker representing Abia-North senatorial district, described the prison as a learning facility.
“I am not guilty, I am as free as anything,” he said on Friday during his appearance on a national television where he responded to questions bordering on corruption allegations against him.
“They put me in prison to the glory of God and Nigerian people should thank them because I am better off today being there.
“I lost nothing, I went there to learn, it was a learning institution, and every politician and every civil servant needs to go there and learn; they will have another perspective of life.”
Blessing, Not Setback
A Federal High Court in Lagos had sentenced Kalu to 12 years imprisonment in a judgement delivered in December 2019.
But the judgment was later nullified by a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict in May 2020.
Declaring the conviction of the former governor null and void, the apex court had held that Justice Mohammed Idris was already a justice of the Court of Appeal as of the time he delivered the judgment sentencing Kalu.
Barely a month after, Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the release of Kalu from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
During Friday’s interview, the lawmaker alleged that some persons, including a former president, were responsible for his predicaments.
Rather than being sad for going to prison, he stressed that his detention for about six months was a blessing to him and an opportunity to view life from a totally different perspective.
“The average Nigerian knows that I have committed no offence,” said Kalu who insisted that he is not corrupt. “There were 19 witnesses in court, and nobody mentioned my name, and somebody paid somebody to put me in jail for six months, and I thank God I went.
“It was a glorious thing; that is the best thing God has ever done to me, to be able to put me in the lowest end of the world. Mind you, I was meant to be in Wuhan on December 9, 2019, and the people put me in jail on December 5; it is to the glory of God.”
February 5, 2022
2023: I’m competent but not desperate to lead Nigeria — Orji Kalu
Chief Whip of the Senate and Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared ahead of the 2023 general elections that though he is ready for the campaigns and capable to lead the country he is not desperate to become President.
Fielding questions from journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, a day after he visited President Buhari at the Presidential villa on Tuesday night, the Senate Chief Whip emphasised that the Presidential contest will be the collective decision of Nigerians and the zoning arrangement of the Political parties particularly his party the ruling All Progressive’s Congress.
The former Governor however maintained that the Southeast region was overdue to Produce the next President of the country, he added that there were only two zones yet to produce the President which were the Southeast and Northeast geo Political zones.
Kalu stressed that his visit to President Buhari was a usual one adding that their relationship has spanned for years before he became President. He disclosed that their discussions were centered on national issues with regards to security, electoral laws and the welfare of the country.
He said “This is not the first time I’m going to see the President. People usually go in the afternoon but I went in the night to avoid the press.
“I go there regularly.It’s a family affair and I went there to discuss national issues with regards to security, well being of our country and the issue of the electoral law and the discussion was very fruitful.
When asked if he informed the President of his Presidential Ambition.
He responded “Has the party zoned the ticket to the Southeast? It’s only when the party zone is officially to the South. I have said before that there are only two zones that have not been President : the Southeast and the Northeast. Once it’s zoned to the Southeast I have the capacity and the capability I will roll out my campaign and rock like a hurricane”.
“It’s overdue for an Igboman to become a Nigerian President, I believe the Southeast should produce the next President and it’s going to happen ”.
Kalu said those against the Igbos from producing the next president of Nigeria were not being fair to the South-East and North-East geopolitical zones which had never produced the President since 1999.
He said those already pushing are not being fair to the feelings of Nigerians.
“They are not serious. A serious minded person will like to be fair to Nigeria, to be fair to the society and be fair to the atmosphere because this party is not owned by me or by you the press people. It is only APC people that can decide where the party ticket will go,If they zone it to the Southeast I have all it takes to make a good President”.
The Abia North Senator said that he would pursue his Presidential Ambition with other geopolitical zones of the Nation, while stressing that he will commence Nationwide consultation at the right time.
Responding to questions on the APC’s forthcoming February 26th convention Kalu expressed optimism that the exercise will be raucous free saying that the outcome will make Nigerians proud.
When asked about President Buhari’s body language to the contentious electoral act and 2023 Kalu responded saying “He’s body language is where other Nigerians are . His body language is for Nigeria and Nigerians.”
Recall that Kalu’s declaration came barely 24 hours after former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with President Buhari to express his interest in the top job. The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi had also met with Buhari to declare his ambition to take over from him in 2023.
January 22, 2022
As Orji Kalu echoes from North
By Emmanuel Onwubiko
Campaigns by different groups from all over the country for political succession in 2023 of the presidency- The highest political position in the Africa, have intensified.
Multi sectoral and multi dimensional campaigning platforms are springing up in their numbers just as Northern Nigeria seems to be the beautiful bride given that the incumbent president who would quit office after eight years in 2023 President Muhammedu Buhari is from katsina, North west of Nigeria.
The momentum and political pendulum swings towards the south east of Nigeria as the best suited geo political zone to produce the presidential candidate so equity, fairness and equality are guaranteed.

The south East of Nigeria since independence in 1960 has not produced the executive president of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Besides, one person who appear to have been widely adopted to run for the office of presidency of Nigeria in 2023 is the Igbo born billionaire businessman and the current chief whip of the Ninth senate of the federal republic of Nigeria and senator representing the good people of Abia North- Senator orji Uzor Kalu,also known as the pillar of sports in Nigeria.

A major stakeholder in the North-Arewa youths have since commenced advocacy to recruit Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to contest for the Presidency under his political platform- All progressive congress (APC) .
As the Golden Hen of Nigerian politicians, Senator orji Uzor Kalu had already been visited by the National leadership of the opposition party -PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) even as tongues are waging in many quarters that the PDP are urging him to dump APC and jump into PDP to run as the presidential candidate of the PDP. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has however not denied nor affirmed the speculation. But given his high profile status in the National Ruling Party- APC , it is not likely that he would cross carpet from his political family.
Comrade Yakubu Arigu Muhammad, the National Coordinator of Arewa Youths for Orji Uzor Kalu, AYOUK, has already called on Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, to declare his interest in the 2023 presidential election.
Muhammad made the call following series of endorsements by groups across the six geopolitical zones urging the former Abia Governor to join the presidential race.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja following the endorsement by a group of Nigerians in diaspora urging the Chief Whip of the Senate to contest the 2023 presidential election, Muhammad said Kalu is the appropriate person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, judging by his national appeal and managerial skill.
He said a campaign team will be launched in Kaduna by December to kick-start the activities of his participation as a candidate in the 2023 election.
“What we need is a result-oriented leader with a proven track record that can sustain and consolidate the gains recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“If we say equity, then power should go to Southeast. It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be a dash. But then, Kalu is a true nationalist; a pan Nigerian who is loved by all.
“Kalu is someone who formed a new party in 2007 and won Abia and Imo. He was endorsed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo as far back as 2007. Definitely, he is loved by his people in the Southeast and we love him over here.
“All that I am doing is for the interest of Nigeria. Personally, I’ve never met Senator Kalu, but I’ve read and studied him and his antecedents. I’m convinced he is the best presidential material from the Southeast.
“Nobody should underrate the Igbos in 2023. Don’t forget no one gave the 25-year old newly elected National Youth Leader of PDP any chance. The youths are now wiser and we shall do our best to rescue Nigeria by having the right kind of person. We are ready to support Kalu who is an Igbo man to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Recall that Progressive Nigerians Initiative (PNI), a group of Nigerians based in South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, India, China , and United Kingdom had endorsed the former governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The group in a statement signed by its Director General, Hon. Yuccee Uwah, emphasised that Kalu represents the most potent force for the advancement of Nigeria.
The group said, “In 2023, there’s no doubt that Nigeria needs a President who will consolidate on the infrastructural gains of the current Buhari administration but most importantly better manage the country’s diversity, rejig the economy and deal conclusively with insecurity.
“The next President of Nigeria should wield the capacity and unfettered commitment to heal the bruised and battered national umbilicus.
“Kalu understands Nigeria and knows what will be required to address the complex issues in the 21st century including addressing the challenges facing Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Coming from different backgrounds, ethnicity, language and training, the group explained that its decision is built on the yearning for Nigeria to fulfil her vast potentials and take her place among the advanced democracies and economies – a prospect which has been denied her for nearly 60 years by poor leadership.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is an opportunity for Nigerians, as a people, to choose to get it right. Nigeria’s dismal story will change if we accept the obvious: that failure does not convert to success the more we repeat the errors leading to it”.
The group also highlighted the candidate’s thorough and clear thinking about Nigeria and his practical solutions which are available in his books, writings and interviews over the years.
“Senator Kalu is a result orientated leader, patriot, thinker, businessman, investor, whose deepest desire is to bring Nigeria into line with modern development thinking and growth. At home in Nigeria, North, South, East, West, and abroad, Kalu demonstrates his understanding of the challenge of advancing Nigeria through fearless economic thinking, robust political re-engineering, and strong administrative structures. We wholeheartedly endorse him for the presidency of Nigeria in 2023,” the group said.
The group also enjoined Nigerians to support a trained and experienced leader with a global view, one who will seek the most qualified and most prepared Nigerians to serve the country, and with the commitment to take the nation forward.
As aforementioned, gold fish has no hiding place and so it is with the most famous Igbo born politician of the 21st century Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. He has just been visited by the National hierarchy of the leading opposition party in Nigeria- Peoples Democratic Party.
The Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator Representing Abia North in a recent hot Abuja afternoon received newly elected officials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)led by the National Secretary of the party,Senator Samuel Anyanwu alongside other newly elected officials of the party at his Aso-Villa Abuja home.
Senator Anyanwu, a former Senator and other newly elected officials of the PDP breezed into Kalu’s Abuja home at precisely 12:28pm.
Disembarking from his vehicle clad in navy blue native attire the visibly delighted National Secretary was welcomed by Kalu’s associates and then led straight with his executives to meet Orji Kalu.
On sighting one another both men engaged in pleasantries and embraced each other and then proceeded for an indoor meeting. As the meeting progressed other executives of the party arrived in turns to Kalu’s residence to join the meeting.
Political pundits say the visit comes amidst strong talks that the former Abia Governor is being positioned for the 2023 presidency to succeed the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
It would be recall that on October 30,2021 the PDP elected it’s new set of members from various parts of the country into its National Working Committee (NWC) to take over the leadership of the party.
Factually, in 2016 Senator Kalu formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), he contested and won the 2019 Senatorial elections and led the APC to landslide victories for other legislative positions in Abia North. The former Governor also led a strong campaign in his Abia North to become the only zone in the SouthEast to have given Buhari 68% votes during the 2019 general elections.
Also recall that in 1998, Kalu alongside a few others founded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kalu solely made an initial donation of N100 million aside a loan of N500 million to the party at the formation stage. He won the governorship contest in Abia State in 1999 on the platform of the PDP. Kalu steered the affairs of the state from 1999 to 2007.
The opposition party (PDP) lost the presidential seat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) both in 2015 and 2019.
In the South-east, the PDP lost grip of a major stronghold, Ebonyi State, to the ruling APC due to the defection of Governor Dave Umahi. The party also lost in the South-South with the unexpected defection of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade to the APC.
At the 2021 PDP convention , 3,600 delegates voted for new members of the NWC of the PDP at the convention, with only the office of the Deputy National Chairman (South) and the Youths Leader contested out of the 21 NWC positions.
Ironically, this cynosure of all eyes in the political firmament of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has continued to carry out his mandate as a Senator and is not letting the cacophony of calls for him to declare for the office if President of Nigeria in the 2023 election to distract him from his basic duty to his constituents and Nigerians. He has continued to present richly researched bills to the Senate and busy making impactful statements and contributions qualitatively to debates. Something phenomenal has just happened because the Senate on Wednesday approved for second reading a bill proposing some amendments to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015.
The bill entitled, ‘Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (Amendment) bill, 2020′ was first introduced to the Senate in June, Wednesday 2020 after Nelson Ayewoh, senate clerk, read its short title.
According to a lead debate by the sponsor of the bill, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North Senatorial District) during Wednesday’s plenary, pointed out that it is also worthy of note that this would be the first time an attempt is made to amend the law since it became an Act in 2015.
Kalu said the bill seeks to redress Sections of the Act, contradicting the principles of fair hearing and court jurisdiction as provided in the Constitution. He stressed that it is to further avert some loggerheads between the administration of criminal justice Act and the constitution. “The following Mr. President are some of the recommendations: 1. That Section 8 (4) of the Principal Act which provides “The arraignment and trial of a suspect for a crime shall be in accordance with the provision of this Act unless otherwise stated in this Act” be amended by deleting “unless otherwise stated in this Act” by inserting “and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“The reason is that the Constitution, the Supreme law of the land provides in section 1(1) as follows; This Constitution is Supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”
“In view of the above provision of the constitution, all authorities in Nigeria shall conform to the constitutional provision, therefore the administration of criminal Justice Act shall also conform with the supreme provision of the constitution 1999 as amended” kalu said.
Speaking further, Kalu explained that the court has held that the 1999 Constitution as amended is the fundamental law on which every law in Nigeria rests. Moreso, the Supreme Court per Fabiyi JSC on the Supremacy of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that “the Constitution of Nigeria is the grundnorm, otherwise known as the basic norm from which all the other laws in the society drive their validity.
He held that each legal norm of the society drives its validity from the basic norm stressing further that other law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution must-give way or abate. The former Abia Governor held that the Court has also held that “The constitution of a nation is the ‘fons et origo’ not only of the Jurisprudence but also of the legal system.
In his words; section 253 of the constitution provides “The Federal High Court shall be duly constituted if it consists of at least one Judge of that Court”.
“Furthermore, section 273 provides “for the purpose of exercising any jurisdiction conferred upon it under this constitution or any law, a High Court of a State shall be duly constituted if it consist of at least one Judge of that Court,” Moreso, the Court of Appeal has held as follows that the provision of Section 273 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999, a simple judge sitting in the High Court is qualified and had the power to try criminal offenses.”
“Reading the provisions of Sections 253 and Section 273 together with Section 237 of the Constitution 1999 as amended,which clearly spelt out the composition of the judges of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the powers to hear and determine matters before them equally provided for by the same constitution. The Constitution should be read together on provisions with establishment,composition and jurisdiction of courts”.
Shedding more light in his lead debate, Orji Kalu elucidated that the various High Court Rules and Court of Appeal Rules have provisions with regards to the position of pending cases,when judges are elevated.
Giving instances Kalu said more often the position is for the matter to start denovo. However, to allow a Judge who is elevated to a Court of Appeal to determine cases before him, while a High Court Judge will raise the issue of jurisdiction. Although the constitution says in Section 252(2) that the National Assembly will by law make provision conferring upon the Federal High Court additional powers to those conferred by the Constitution, yet there exist a lacuna in respect of the position of an elevated judge from the High Court to the Court of Appeal (that is there is a gap that need to be filled).
Explaining further to his colleagues Kalu said that it is advisable that the constitution be amended to expressly handle the gap created when judges are elevated to the next bench be given the right or powers to conclude part heard cases on elevation before moving to the next level. In view of the aforementioned, Kalu submitted that a Constitutional amendment is the best option to take care of such lacuna. He said that further general observation, our judicial system recognizes and applies the rule of stare decisis, meaning rules of precedent and hierarchy of courts.
Lending his support to the bill, Senator Gabriel Suswam opined that the entire sections of the Criminal justice act is defective, he however commended Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for the bill but added that it is imperative to amend the bill holistically.
In his words “it has become imperative to amend the Criminal justice act, it’s not just about amending some sections as proposed by the sponsor of the bill. There are a lot of mistakes in the Act and people have been unjustly convicted because of the mistakes that have been found in the Act but because they have not been challenged up to the supreme court. We now have the singular opportunity to as proposed here to correct those mistakes. I have interacted with a few judges who came to see me and most of their complaints bothered the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act.
Suswam also stressed that most states have refused to domesticate the ACJA due to the fact that it has failed to meet up with the aspirations of the state. He said it is important to amend the entire Act, not just it’s sections.
The Senate in voice vote presided over by the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan passed the bill for second reading and was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human rights and legal matters to report back within four weeks.
However, with the increasing pressures and calls on him to declare, it is the expectation of most Nigerians from North, South, West and Middle Belt that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu will address Nigerians soon on these calls for him to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
*EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO is head of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) and formerly, a National Commissioner of the NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA.
December 9, 2021