By Ignatius Okorocha
Former governor of Abia State and Senate Chief Whip, Sen Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed his resolve to contest the presidency, if the All Progressive Congress (APC) zones slot to South.
This is even as he noted that politicians who have already declared interest to contest for the 2023 presidential election are not serious.
Speaking when journalists approached him at the National Assembly complex on why he visited President Muhammadu Buhari last night, Kalu said he was trying to avoid the media but added that those who have declared for the presidency are not serious adding that it is not the right time because zoning has not been done.
On why he visited Buhari, Kalu said it was not the first time he visited the president.
“Presidency is a place where people go in the afternoon, I went in the night to avoid the media. I go there regularly its a family affair and I went there to discuss national issues. Issue of security, issue of well being of our country and issue of the electoral act. The discussion was very fruitful and it was held in the night. Is that why you should come to ambush me? Kalu asked.
On whether he informed the president of an interest to contest for the 2023 presidential election, Kalu said: “Did the party zone the 2023 presidency to the South? I told you before that when the party zones it officially to the South, I will contest. I told you the only two zones that have not tasted the presidency are the South East and the Northeast, once they zone it to anyone of them I have the capacity and the capability I will roll and I will rock like a hurricane.”
Kalu who said those who have declared interest to contest for the 2023 general elections are not serious, said: “Well, they are pushing but they are not serious
“A serious minded person will like to be fair to Nigeria, fair to the society and to be fair to the atmosphere, because the party is not owned by me or you the media. This party is owned by Nigerians and the APC members. It is only APC that can decide that at the forth coming convention where the Presidential ticket will be zoned to. If they zone it to the South East, I have everything it takes to make a good president,
“I will come back to the Senate and seat in the Senate as I am sitting if the party did not zone the ticket to the South East. I don’t believed in Igbo presidency. I believed in Nigerian president of Igbo extraction. An Igbo extraction president is over due. I believed that we should produce the next President and it is going to happen. I don’t need to push, I have to push along with the other regions,” Kalu said.
Kalu who said he is not consulting people on the 2023 presidency, added that it is not yet time.
“No, because it is not yet the time,” Kalu said when asked whether he was consulting stakeholders on his presidential bid.
The chief whip who said he was expecting a very good convention, said there will be a good atmosphere.
“We are going to make Nigerians proud after the convention,” Kalu said adding that the President’s body language is the body language of Nigerians. His body language is for Nigeria and Nigerians.”
