By Obike Ukoh
Globally, the tenure of parliamentarians is not limited. The reason is obvious. Parliament is the engine room and bedrock of constitutional democracy.
In modern history, the power of parliament was demonstrated by French parliamentarians in the famous Tennis Court Oath of June 20, 1789.
It occurred after King Louis XVI locked them out of their usual meeting hall, forcing them to move to a nearby indoor tennis court.
This act of defiance was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, demonstrating a decisive break with the monarchy and establishing the principle of popular sovereignty.
The oath was a powerful symbol of the Third Estate; it marked a turning point by challenging the king’s absolute authority and asserting that political power resided with the people and their representatives, not the king.
That power of parliament is not in any way whittled down by the thinking in Nigeria, that parliaments in the country, from the state to federal levels, are not effectively acting as checks to executive excesses.
In most constituencies, there are arguments that those who have served two tenures in parliament should not return to give other constituents a chance.
Abia North Senatorial zone is one of the areas where some politicians from the area are jostling to replace Orji Uzor Kalu, the incumbent senator representing the area.
Since the former governor openly declared interest, many of his admirers have emphasized that the Senate Committee Chairman on South East Development Commission is an enduring exportable commodity.
They said that though Kalu, first elected into the Senate in 2019, will be completing his second tenure in 2027, the cap fits him to continue.
They said it is not a crime to go for a third term, but stressed that it has happened before in the Abia North Senatorial zone.
Comrade Uche Chukwumerije, from Isuochi in Abia North, represented the area in the Senate from 2003 to 2015. They said that, like Chukwumerije, Kalu has demonstrated ability and competence.
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who spoke on the issue, Dr Sunday Okoro, said any discourse on representation must be anchored on facts, tangible effects, and quantifiable results, rather than selective narratives or revisionist evaluations.
He was alluding to claims in some quarters that Kalu has not delivered on his campaign promises.
Okoro described Kalu as a leader whose service records, accessibility, and substantial contributions consistently enhanced the lives of inhabitants of Abia North.
He stressed that for continuity of quality representation, there is a need for the senatorial district to once again rally around him.
Okoro said that leadership in a complicated democracy is assessed not merely by rhetoric or theoretical discourse, but by tangible outcomes.
“ Throughout Abia North, Senator Kalu has consistently demonstrated dedication to infrastructure development, educational support, healthcare initiatives, youth empowerment, and direct constituency contact.
“Roads have been restored, academic institutions and healthcare facilities have received support, scholarships have been awarded, and many constituents have been empowered through employment facilitation, skills acquisition, and humanitarian initiatives.
“ These are not concepts, they are tangible realities that impact communities and institutions across Abia North,’’ Okoro stressed.
He stressed that: “ As 2027 nears, the inquiry facing Abia North should not be whether to abandon experience, but rather how to leverage it.
“ Consistent leadership, when supported by performance and community impact, is a strategic decision rather than a detriment. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has garnered the confidence of Abia North via his actions and unwavering dedication.
“ Based on his service records, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu deserves a third term, to enable him to continue with his good works, which would enhance and further boost development in Abia North,’’ Okoro emphasized.
On its part, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) reiterated Kalu’s competence, as they endorsed him for a third tenure.
COSEYL President-General, Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Okey Nwaorumade, in a statement, acknowledged the remarkable progress and development that Senator Kalu’s representation has brought to communities in Abia North.
COSEYL described Kalu’s tenure as having recorded transformative achievements that have significantly improved the lives of constituents across the zone.
“Through unwavering dedication and commitment to service, he has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to address the needs and aspirations of the people, fostering an environment conducive to growth and development.
“ With a portfolio of accomplishments that surpass expectations, Senator Kalu stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to effective leadership.
“ We believe that his experience and vision make him the best choice for the people of Abia North in 2027,” the group said.
On his own part, a former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi, Chief Abia Onyike, said Igbo people still need the likes of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia North) in the Senate chambers.
Onyike, who was also a former Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said that Kalu is a frontline politician with vast legislative experience and competence.
Onyike, who lauded Kalu’s achievements in the Senate, noted that he was the kind of politician whom the Igbo people needed for a balancing act in Nigerian politics.
He said, “Orji Uzor Kalu does not go for populist rhetoric or empty sloganeering. He is very close to President Bola Tinubu.
“He was able to push through the legislation on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), for which N500 billion was budgeted for infrastructural interventions.
“Kalu also played an important role in the attraction of the new Federal University to be sited at Item, in Abia; these are landmark achievements.’’
Onyike also added that Kalu has made critical investments in the mass media.
He added, “He is one of the few Igbos with a strong presence in the newspaper industry in Nigeria, employing many journalists.
“He is the publisher of Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers. This is an area most other Igbo businessmen tend to shy away from.
“And we cannot get anywhere in national politics without serious media investments.
“Kalu has demonstrated competence in the Senate and service delivery and should be given a chance to continue his good works come 2027.”
However, despite the continuity clamour for Orji Uzor Kalu, groups that identified themselves as: Old Bende Political Forum, Abia Youths Christian Assembly and Abia North Young Professionals, recently marched along some streets in Umuahia, to protest against Kalu’s third term bid.
They drummed support for another senatorial aspirant, Dr Phillips Nto, as a possible replacement of Kalu in the senate for Abia North.
They argued that Nto would offer more effective representation than the former governor.
How they arrived at this conclusion is debatable, but they handed a protest letter, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, to the Abia State APC chairman.
They described Nto as “one of us,’’ who understood the challenges facing the people and was better positioned to address them.
Analysts describe what is happening in Abia North as side attractions, as it is a legitimate ambition in Nigeria for lawmakers to return to parliament as many times as possible, provided the electorate give him/her the mandate.
They say that it is undemocratic and unconstitutional to unilaterally stop one from seeking an elective position, stressing that it is against natural justice and the law of the land.
They say that some of the claims against Kalu by those opposed to his return to the Senate are unfounded, as Kalu is a visible voice in the Senate, and has undoubtedly delivered massive democracy dividends to Abia North.
The cap, they say, fits Orji Uzor Kalu to return to the senate, and history is also on his side, as late Senator Uche Chukwumerije represented Abia North in the senate for 12 unbroken years. (Ends)
Obike Ukoh, former Deputy Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
