BREAKING: Orji Kalu Crosses to APC
Wednesday, defected to the All Progressives Congress
(APC), with prayer that God would use him to add value to
the party.
Kalu was received at the APC National Headquarters,
Abuja, by the party's National Chairman, Chief John
Odige-Oyegun and members of the National Working
Committee (NWC).
He said that his defection to the APC was made possible
by the persistence of some of the party's chieftains who
had been wooing him for some times.
According to him, I was invited to dinner over 20 times by
some of the party`s chieftains, including the national
chairman, while the wooing lasted.
"They had been on by neck, asking that I must come over
to APC and the national chairman always buys me red
wine.
"My red wine is still packed in his house and I visit his
place regularly to chat because we attend the same
church''.
Kalu, however, said that it was a privilege to be accepted
into the party, adding that he would abide by its laws
while remaining a good party man.
He thanked the APC national chairman and other party
chieftains for the confidence they reposed in him and for
making him join the party.
He assured that states being governed by opposition
parties in the South-East and other parts of the country
presently would be delivered to the APC in 2019.
"God will help us to achieve this, but the most important
thing is the ability to consult, discuss and move forward.
"Nobody is an embodiment of knowledge; knowledge is
in the hands of God and He will always give us
knowledge''.
He prayed that the APC continued to wax stronger and for
its leaders continued support for President Mohammed
Buhari in his quest to develop the country and fight
corruption.
Kalu expressed optimism that though the country was
going through rough times, good policy formulation would
help to lessen the suffering of the people.
He expressed optimism that the APC would leave beyond
2019 contrary to the predictions of some Nigerians.
"Nobody can say that APC cannot go beyond 2019;
Nigerians should change this behaviour that after every
four years when there is presidential election, people will
start saying they want to change party.
"APC has come to stay in my opinion and in the opinion
of other people and the international community.
"If APC is going and its members that welcomed me here
today are going, I will go with them,'' he said.
He, however, said that he would not contest any position,
but added that he would accept any role the party may
find him worthy of playing.
"Once you are a party man and you are given a mandate
to do anything, you will do it, but for me, I am an
entrepreneur and I will like to go back to my business''.
Receiving him, Odigie-Oyegun, described the politician as
a positive asset not only to the South-East, but to APC
and Nigeria, who could be used to resolve the country`s
challenges.
He explained that the party`s chieftains took time to woo
Kalu to the party because of his attributes of resilience
and commitment over the years.
"Given the attachment of the South-East before now, it
was also necessary to go out for leaders who can
contribute positively, who people listen to, and you fall
into that category.
"Your coming and timing is very significant, but I must
say that you have a lot of work to do to consolidate our
party in the East,'' Odigie-Oyegun said.
He said that the APC would depend on Kalu to win not
only states in the South-East but the South-South in 2019.
He assured the former Abia governor, who defected from
the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), that he would be
given his rightful place in the APC.
He added that though the country was going through
difficulties that was not created by the APC-led
government, the party was determined to address it.
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