Chief Chikwendu Kalu, of relying on ethnic sentiments to retain his
position in the soon to be inaugurated Assembly.
He cautioned the Speaker to avoid creating disunity between the Ngwa and
their Umuahia brothers in Abia Central senatorial zone in order to
achieve his ambition to be re-elected speaker of the 7th Assembly.
Orji, who stated this in a radio programme on Magic 102.9 Fm, Aba, while
reacting to an interview by one of the Speaker’s associates, Chief David
Ezindu ,warned that Kalu must create a limit between his personal
ambition and that of the unity of the state.
He accused Kalu of heating up the polity and propagating clannish
sentiments and sponsoring attacks on his opponent, Hon.Chinedum Orji,
and urged him to allow the members- elect to choose the next speaker of
the Assembly.
“It’s very unfortunate that we allowed this to get into the public
domain. It’s only the members of the House of Assembly can participate
in this election. So, coming in the open to heat up clannish sentiment
on where the speaker should come from at a time might not even be
justified in our position. it is adding salt to injury.
“I know his target is Engineer Chinedum Orji. The fact is that many
people were surprised that he didn’t even emerged speaker four years
ago. He has been on his own. If what I’ve heard about Chiedum Orji is
correct, then he has been more of a stabilizing factor and a staunch
supporter of the incumbent government. I don’t see him trying to destroy
the house he’s
helping to build.
“I don’t buy that scaremongering. He has the requisite experience and
he’s capable. He has not been involved in any scandal since he assumed
office. I’ve not met Chinedum Orji one on one, but I now know that many
of us were wrong when we were in APGA in having the impression that once
the man is in, he’ll destabilize the whole place and pave way for
himself. I don’t
think it will be nice for people to aspire to position of power by
scaremongering.”
He narrated that the Ngwa and the Umuahia blocs in Abia Central zone ,
had never had problems over the sharing of positions in the state,
insisting that Kalu’s attempt to incite the two sections against each
other, has failed.
“The truth of the matter remains that when it comes to the Senate, I
think when an Umuahia man was governor, the senate was domiciled in Ngwa
land and we occupied it for 8 years.
“Now that an Ngwa man is governor, the senate in Abia Central has gone
to Umuahia axis. That it’s in the hands of Sen. T. A Orji is accidental.
It could have been anybody. These things are circumstantial and
situational.
“When it comes to speakership, I’m surprised that we are insisting it
must be with us here. I’m not saying that anybody from Ngwa area is not
fit or shouldn’t contest, but to say that we are been defrauded of our
right is what baffles me.
“It is not an Ngwa position that an Ngwa man must continue as speaker
and I wouldn’t want anyone to use the Ngwa name to advance his personal
ambition. In every man’s chest there’s desire, but as you go for it,
don’t bring in Ngwa name into it.
“They are trying to push an agenda that’s is not an Ngwa agenda. Some
persons are trying to score some cheap political points by using ethnic
sentiment.”