16th September, 2014
Former Governor of Abia, Chief Orji Kalu, on Tuesday said an Igbo or Yoruba cannot become president of Nigeria without the support of other geo-political zones in the country.
Orji who spoke to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, Kalu noted that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration needed all the support to ensure stability in the country.
Kalu said the South-East would mobilise for President Jonathan in the 2015 election, which was the game plan that would bring him back for another term.
“The truth of the matter is that Igbos cannot make themselves president. Neither the Ijaws nor Yorubas can become president without the support of other tribes and other Nigerians.
“They will need the assistance of other people in other geo-political zones to actualise their ambition,” he said.
Kalu said that the principle of rotation of power was good to balance the power equation in Nigeria. “I strongly believe that rotation has made many zones become president of Nigeria,” he said.
“I believe the ruling party is a strong brand. Unfortunately, some of my brothers from the South-East have been blowing hot and cold.
Kalu said that business moguls have more stake in the economy of the country than political leaders, and should ensure they promote peace.
“As businessmen, with the lives of many people in our hands, we, who are in business and industry, will need to pursue peace and national stability. Instability is not good for us, it is not good for the nation, and it is not good for the system.
“Many European countries are coming together, why can we not build a united Nigeria? We need peace,” he said.
Kalu also had some words for his successor, Thoedore Orji. He advised him to use the state’s resources for the development of the people.