As the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections draw closer, there are concerns in some quarters as to the possibility of National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu clinching the presidential candidate of the ruling party considering the power play going on at the moment
Less than six days to the elections, the Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu who has dropped his presidential ambition in support of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has continued to push for Lawan’s candidacy of the ruling party . Kalu’s support to Lawan has propagated him to be a major contender and the only aspirant that could challenge Bola Tinubu.
Reacting to the development in a Chat with Newsmen in Abuja , on Tuesday, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Jimoh Adewunmi Babafemi has pleaded with the Senate Chief Whip to reconsider his decision on Lawan and support his southern brother and long time ally , Bola Tinubu.
“We are pleading with Orji Kalu to reconsider his decision on Lawan and support his ally Tinubu” He said
He said some leaders of South-West geo-political zone has met Kalu on three different occasions on the need for his support to Tinubu as the party’s candidate.
According to him, “Kalu is a man you ignore at your own Peril . He has seen it all and that is why we are making every effort to see that he reconsiders his decision.
“Last year , Asiwaju himself visited Kalu in his Asokoro residence and stayed with him for hours on this same issue . I thought they already reached an agreement . But surprisingly he has thrown his weight behind lawan and you can see how it changed the dynamics of the entire politics . We are very confident that Tinubu will win but we want Kalu whose friendship with Tinubu dates years ago to also support him and support us .
“ I can not say that I am disappointed that he is supporting Lawan instead of Asiwaju (Tinubu) because it is his right to take a stand . But I know that With Asiwaju (Tinubu )he is sure of the Senate Presidency . Kalu is a young man who has a very bright future in the country .
“For the sake of stability and unity of the country, power should not be allowed to return to North . Since he is not running for president anymore let him support his bosom friend so they can win together .
Speaking further he said , “ Kalu has deep friendship ties with the South West and also has a lot of Yorubas working for him . It is time he show us that friendship and support Asiwaju for the office of the president.
He revealed that he and others have held meetings with Kalu on three different occasions but he is still unyielding.
“Asiwaju is the most prepared to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 judging by his acceptability.
“He is eminently qualified to lead Nigeria and Kalu knows he will work for the country. We can not risk any other aspirant in the country aside Tinubu “. Babafemi said
