Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed disappointment on the allegation leveled against him by a former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, to the effect that he and some party leaders are working with the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni to undermine the March 26 National Convention of the ruling party.
Lukman according to kalu in a statement he personally signed was quoted as saying: “there are other party leaders, including Sen Uzor Kalu who have actively supported His Excellency Mai Mala to undermine the decision to organize the National Convention of the party.”
Following the allegation, the former Abia State Governor replied that he considered it necessary to correct the wrong impressions Lukman must be making efforts to create.
Kalu’s statement read in part: “There has been no time I participated in any collaboration or collusion to ensure that attempts to organize the APC National Convention are blocked.
“It will be recalled that on the December 15, 2021, I made an appeal to the party and the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee members to consider postponing the national convention earlier slated for February.
“I had warned that holding the convention in February without sorting out the minor disagreements that arose during the Congress would lead to implosion.
“I was worried that, the creation of factions which denied the party victory in so many states in the past elections may repeat itself. I therefore called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis before holding the Convention. No peaceful and tactful leader would support a terrible scenario to reoccur.
“It is important to note that I have always stood for and supported the party and Gov Mai Mala Buni only happened to be the Chairman of the party. Aside serving as the Chairman of the party, Buni is my old family friend and I cannot deny him because he is facing challenges today. We have been friends and family for the past 25 years.
“It is imperative to state that Buni has done very well for the party. His sterling leadership quality is what helped stabilize our great party across the six geopolitical zones, with high profile defections in our favour”.
Kalu called on the party leaders and stakeholders to guard their utterances so as to avoid creating more disharmony, noting that misunderstanding is inevitable as members of nuclear family, quarrel with one another.
He established that the ruling APC is a very big party with several caucuses, listing the Governors, National Assembly, Businessmen, Youths and Women among other caucuses.
Kalu advised that the directions and concerns of these caucuses should be taken into consideration at all times.
Meanwhile, Senator Kalu has pledged his support Whether Mala Buni or Gov Abubakar Sani Bello, in their drive for stronger growth.
