*** Describes Onoh’s Allegations As Baseless
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), has characterized Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) as a devoted supporter of the party’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) presidential candidate.
In response to a claim made by Dr. Josef Onoh, the South East spokesman for the Bola Tinubu presidential campaign council, that Sen. Kalu “is disingenuous in his afterthought support for the Tinubu presidency,” Maduekwe made this statement in a discussion with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
Onoh, in the report, alleged that Kanu’s choice for the 2023 elections was for a person from the northeast to become the president of Nigeria, an allegation that has been widely condemned by APC supporters in the South East, as well as political associates of OUK across the country.
According to Maduekwe, the statement by Onoh is baseless and far from the truth, as the Senator representing Abia North has always expressed his convincing support for Tinubu presidential ambition both within and outside the state and was committed to delivering his senatorial zone for APC .
He expressed dismay that such a divisive statement was coming from a critical stakeholder just few days to the presidential polls that party members were supposed to join hands towards delivering Abia State and the region for Bola Tinubu.
According to him ,” Orji Uzor Kalu has never hid his love and affiliation for the party and Asiwaju. Infact, he is one of the very Igbo leaders standing for the party since he joined it. Such statement does not portray him rightly.
“This is totally wrong and uncalled for. The truth is that OUK has majorly laid the foundation for BAT to get his substantial vote from his senatorial district. Coming at this hour to lampoon him in the media space is not any measure of intelligence.
“ At all political campaigns in Abia north, OUK always makes it mandatory for him to be elected that voters must vote the broom three times-President, Senate and House of Reps.
“This strategy is being driven by the massive infrastructure development he brought to Abia North within the past three and a half years. No senator living or dead attracted such a humongous impact on the area. These achievements are being used to campaign for BAT as an APC-inspired development.
Maduekwe lamented that this attack on the party stalwarts from the region by Onoh is becoming one too many, as he had earlier threw similar jab at the DG of Voice of Nigeria(VON), Dr Osita Okechukwu, who also halls from the region.
“Whatever the interest he is pursuing, Onoh should understand that a house that wants to remain standing must not be divided against itself, and he cannot become a minister by fighting party stalwarts from the south- east.
“It is so sad that within few days to the election such an unnecessary rmarks is being published to rob off the enthusiasm we are building up here.
“Election is a game of number, and you cannot create disaffection between key leaders and our people by painting them in bad light if you are truly serious with us having that number.
“As the campaign is coming to a close today , I think our collective focus should be on how Abia State can make the party deliver the mandatory 25% votes in at least 24 of the 36 states.
The NFC helmsman therefore urged party members from the region , especially those from Abia North senatorial district to remain resolute, united and focused in order to secure victory at the polls for the party.
