A former member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and a labour leader, have urged the people of Abia North Senatorial Zone, to give Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu further chance to represent the zone.
Kalu was first elected a senator in 2019 and re-elected in 2023 to represent the zone.
He has indicated interest to contest for the same position in 2027, alongside many others across political party lines.
But, Mr Paul Ogbonna, who reacted to the development , outlined the advantages of re-electing people like Orji Uzor Kalu.
Ogbonna, who represented Ivo State Constituency in the Ebonyi House of Assembly(2003 -2007), noted that people should properly distinguish between executive and legislative functions
He said, the advanced democracies, not fixing tenures for lawmakers is to enable them deepen legislative functions that will be to the interest and advantage of the nation and their Constituents.
“A constituency that boasts of a lawmaker representing them for many years should count itself lucky.
“People of Abia North Senatorial Zone will have a lot to benefit if Orji Uzor Kalu is re-elected in 2027,’’ Ogbonna stressed.
He revealed that the former governor of Abia is nationally and globally known, adding that his quest to return to the Senate is not to make money.
Ogbonna said that even as Abia State governor, Orji Uzor provided infrastructure in the zone, stressing that he has already built himself.
He stressed that Igbos should elect senators, that are stable people to represent them in the National Assembly.
“Anybody from Abis North Senatorial Zone desirous of replacing Orji Uzor Kalu, should self examine himself if he or she can march Kalu’s credentials,’’ Ogbonna added.
“The South-East Zone producing high ranking senators like Uzor Kalu, will be to the advantage of Igbo people, Ogbonna emphasized.
On his part, Mr Leonard Nkah, a former Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress in Ebonyi, said Orji Kalu deserved to be given another opportunity to represent the Abia North.
“Uzor Kalu is bold, audacious and goal getter, qualities required of a member of the National Assembly.
“He also has the national contacts and connections, which will make it easy to bring democracy dividends to his constituency,’’ Nkah, who was also former President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE),Ebonyi Chapter added.
He stressed that the people of Abia North should reciprocate the effective representation by supporting his third bid.
“I like Orji Kalu, he is visible in the National Assembly and in the Nigerian media space.
“ But sometimes I don’t like his views on some national issues.
“But generally as a lawmaker, Orji Kalu is outstanding, and should be allowed to go again.
“ In the current Senate, he is in the First Eleven, and should naturally be allowed to go again,’’ according to Nkah.
