The former Presidential Candidate of the defunct Independent Democrats, ID, Hon.Edozie Madu, has lambasted the South-West and South-South geo-political zones for not supporting the South-East geo-political zone to clinch the 2023 presidential race.
Madu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, stated this while reacting to a a statement by Hon. Jimoh Adewunmi Babafemi, who urged the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to back the presidential ambition of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Babafemi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had 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 during an interview
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.”
But Hon. Madu while reacting to the statement on Tuesday morning slammed Tinubu and other presidential aspirants from the South-West and South-South geo-political zones for abandoning their brothers from the South East geo-political zone.
He wondered why Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi and other leaders of the party refused to support the South East geo-political zone which is “badly marginalized”.
He commended Senator Kalu for his commitment, doggedness, support and foresight in integrating Ndigbo into mainstream politics by backing the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
According to Hon. Madu, “It is better to support the North East geo-political zone in 2023 instead of supporting the South-West and South-South geo-political zones.
“Obviously, the North East is marginalized just like the South East since 1999. I commend Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for backing Lawan and I am in agreement with him. It is either South East or we go back to the North and North East specifically ,” he said.
