Senate Majority Whip and former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, has boldly declared himself as the most significant political figure from Nigeria’s South-East region, downplaying the influence of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Kalu dismissed suggestions that Obi had become the region’s foremost political leader.
When pressed on whether Igbos should align with Obi ahead of future national elections, Kalu avoided a deep dive, insisting he wouldn’t engage in a serious discussion about Obi unless both were in a live debate setting.
“I’m a member of the APC and I don’t want to discuss Peter Obi. Every time you mention him, I get uncomfortable. I’ve said it before, any time you want to talk about Obi with me, bring him here. Give us two hours, him on one side, me on the other, and we’ll settle it,” Kalu said.
Rejecting the notion that Obi now leads the South-East politically, Kalu asserted that his own record surpasses Obi’s in both impact and reach.
“He’s not my leader. I am the most important politician from that zone,” Kalu said.
He went on to cite his past political accomplishments, including leading the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to victory in two states and securing 4.9 million votes in the 2007 presidential election.
“We did well with PPA. We had ministers, ambassadors, and other key appointments under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,” he added.
When asked about his future political plans, particularly regarding another presidential run, the senator said age would not be a limiting factor.
“If I’m healthy and God grants me life, I can still contest. Age is not the issue, it’s about competence. It’s about what’s in my brain and what I can deliver,” he said, referencing Donald Trump as an example of older politicians still pursuing leadership.
