By NewsCritic Reporters
Abia State born industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia has explained the reasons behind his support for Senator Orji Kalu to emerge the President of the 10th National Assembly, saying that the contest was not about Orji Kalu but the South East region which has remained fringe players for too long.
Recall that the Orji Kalu in spite of the fact that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, zoned the senate president slot to South-South region insisted on moving ahead to contest contrary to the party’s decision but lost out.
One of the prominent opinion leaders in Abia State who canvassed extensive support for Orji Kalu to be considered for the office of the senate president was Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia, the founder of Team Nwa-Abia Movement. He supported Orji Kalu against heavy odds and despite open criticisms against Orji Kalu’s candidature even from the Igbos who dislike his brand of politics.
In an interview with NewsCritic online against the backdrop of attacks over his candid support for Orji Kalu to be elected senate President, the former house of assembly candidate for Umuahia North State constituency, said that he supported Kalu because his victory would have helped reposition Ndigbo in the political schemes, as well as give them a sense of belonging.
Chris Nwa-Abia also praised Kalu’s courage, describing him as a man of his convictions who suddenly became unpopular with his people.
Chris Nwa-Abia stressed that while he shares in some of the thoughts adduced by some Igbos on why Kalu would not make a good senate president to represent the interest of the South East, he maintained that we should not forget that we are all brothers and should be our brother’s keeper irrespective of how much our feelings may have been hurt in the past by some of the actions and inactions.
Nwa-Abia pointed out that since the president and vice president eluded the South East, it would have been proper that the region was considered for the number three office which is the senate presidency, being one of the tripods upon which Nigeria stands.
Again, he disclosed that he (Nwa-Abia) was bound to support the senator who has promised to intervene in seeing to the construction of the strategic Ohuhu Ring road project, which has been abandoned for decades now. Chief Chris Nwa-Abia held that the project could have seen the light of the day earlier than expected had Kalu succeeded.
He, however, said that all hopes are not lost because alternatives might be sought and that Kalu might still be in a better position tomorrow to determine the road construction project in Ohuhu clan. He stated that he couldn’t have done the contrary, especially given the fact that his action was influenced by his love for Ohuhu and to see that the road project is realised as promised, adding that we should do away with politics of bitterness and play developmental politics.
