Various campaign groups have commenced mobilisation in some parts of the Northern parts of the country in support of the former Governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu towards the 2023 Presidential elections.
Although this is not the first time prominent Northern classes will be throwing their weight behind the Senate Chief Whip, the latest development can be described as an obeisance to the counsel of former Nigerian Military leader, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) on who should become Nigeria’s next President in 2023.
Babangida had in the latest interview aired on AIT, mentioned Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a potential candidate who possesses the rightful qualities to become Nigeria’s next President.
IBB as he is fondly called recommended that the next president should be in his 60s, the former Military leader also said the presidential hopefuls in 2023 should be persons with contacts across the nation and who had been traversing the geo-political zones, marketing their acceptability and capacity.
Summarily, the former Nigerian leader who turned 80 on the 17th of August outlined seven qualities that 2023 presidential hopefuls must have to become Nigeria’s no1 citizen. Speaking from his Minna Hilltop residence Babangida said such persons must be ; a person who is well travelled across Nigeria, someone who has friends everywhere, very verse in Economics, be a good Politicians, Should be able to ‘talk’ to Nigerians and in his Sixties.
When asked who thinks has such qualities, IBB responded by saying ” bright minds like Orji Uzor Kalu” as a personality who holds the qualities he had earlier listed.
Following the declaration of IBB, various Nothern interest groups have indicated their readiness towards the actualization of saddling Senator Orji Uzor Kalu with the Governing affairs of the nation in line with the advice of Ibrahim Babangida.
Findings have also revealed that aside holding meetings, some of the groups have drafted formal letters of notification to various traditional rulers and political institutions on the need for their cooperation
Some of the groups under the auspices of United Alied Northern Forum, Coalition of Kano Frontiers , Kaduna Action Aliance for 2023 , among others are also gearing up in support of Orji Uzor Kalu.
Though an ex President, Ibrahim Babangida still wields undisputed albatross in the Nigeria’s Modern day polity. Till date the former Military leader’s ingenuity is still being consulted in the decision making process of Nigeria’s elections.
The move by the Northern Groups comes as no surprise as IBB is still respected in the Nation’s electorates particularly among the Northerners as a result of positive sides of his administration as President.
Recall that recently Northern youths under the aegis of the Coalition Of Northern Nigerian Youth, CNNY, groups urged the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, to contest the 2023 presidential election.
The youths said this in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, CNNY, Amb. Zarewa Salisu Sageer, National Secretary, CNNY, Amb. Abu Bature Dandume, North Central Coordinator, CNNY, Comr. Muhammad Yakubu Arigu, Coordinator, North East, CNNY, Amb. Amos Ishaku, Coordinator North West, CNNY, Amb. Adamu Kicinga.
The Coalition comprising Northern Youth Council Of Nigeria, NYCN, Association Of Northern Nigerian Students, ANNS, Arewa Youth Consultative Council, AYCC, Arewa Youth For Good Governance, AYGG, noted that it has become absolutely imperative to urge Kalu to contest.
According to the youths, Sen. Kalu has the leadership acumen, capacity, dexterity and contacts to be Nigeria’s President. The statement read: “We are Coalition Of Northern Nigerian Youth groups comprises Northern Youth Council Of Nigeria, NYCN, Association Of Northern Nigerian Students, ANNS, Arewa Youth Consultative Council, AYCC, Arewa Youth For Good Governance, AYGG, under the auspices of the Northern Nigerian Peace Foundation, NNPF, with the sole aim of advancing Good Governance, National Unity, Promotion of Religious Tolerance for the peaceful existence and the overall advancement of socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Though Kalu on his part has not indicated intention to throw his hat into the Presidential contest , however sources close to Kalu suggest that be may likely contest for the No1 seat in 2023. Senator Orji Kalu on his part has reiterated his intention to return to the Red Chambers for Abia North Senatorial zone.