Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, who represents the Southeast on the North West Development Commission (NWDC), has dismissed as feeble opposition by Labour Party [LP] to the re-election of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as Senator representing Abia North.
Chukwu said the Labour Party’s claim that it could end the senatorial career of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, amounted to a wishful thinking.
He further described such assertions as mere political talk, lacking in substance.
Speaking on Wednesday during “The Agenda,” a political affairs programme broadcast on Don 103.7 FM, Umuahia, Chukwu stated that there was presently no politician with the strength, structure, or political clout required to defeat the serving senator for Abia North.
His comments came amid renewed exchanges between the media camps of Senator Kalu and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
The controversy followed a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Ferdinand Ekeoma, that the Labour Party had produced four credible aspirants capable of unseating the former Abia governor in the next senatorial election.
Responding, Chukwu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, dismissed the claim as unrealistic, insisting that even a combined effort of all Labour Party aspirants would not be enough to defeat Senator Kalu.
“I have not seen any serious opposition in Abia North that can remove Orji Uzor Kalu from the Senate,” he said.
He declared: “Even if all the Labour Party aspirants are merged into one, they still cannot defeat him.”
The former legislator also cautioned politicians contemplating a challenge against Senator Kalu, specifically mentioning the reported senatorial ambition of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu.
Deploying an anecdote, Chukwu said, “You don’t confront a lion with a sheep. He should abandon the ambition because he cannot defeat Orji Uzor Kalu.”
While acknowledging that he does not always share the same political views as the senator, Chukwu explained that his assessment was based on Kalu’s wide-reaching political influence and record in the National Assembly.
According to him, “meaningful representation at the federal level demands lawmakers who possess strong national networks capable of attracting federal attention, projects, and opportunities to their constituencies.”
Chukwu also reacted to speculations surrounding the senatorial ambition of Chief David Ogba Onuoha, popularly known as Bourdex, dismissing him as unsuitable for the position.
He argued that Abia North did not require what he termed a “boxer” as its representative in the Senate.
The remark alluded to a previous allegation involving the former chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area, who was accused of assaulting a council staff member.
Chukwu concluded by reaffirming that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu remained the dominant political force in Abia North and was unlikely to be displaced by the opposition in the foreseeable future.
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