A former Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), says Igbo people still need the likes of Sen. Oji Uzor Kalu(APC-Abia North) in the Senate chambers.
Onyike, who was also a former Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, said that Kalu, who was first elected into the Senate in 2019, is a frontline politician, with vast legislative experience.
Onyike who spoke to reporters in Abakaliki, said that Kalu is the kind of politician whom the Igbos need for a balancing act in Nigerian politics.
Orji Uzor Kalu does not go for populist rhetorics or empty sloganeering. He is very close to President Bola Ahmed 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.
“Sen. Kalu also played an important role in the attraction of the new Federal University to be sited at Item in Abia State. These are landmark achievements.’’
Onyike also added that Sen. Kalu has made critical investments in the mass media.
He is one of the few Igbo elements with a strong presence in the newspaper industry in Nigeria, employing over 2000 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.’’
Sen. Kalu has demonstrated competence in the Senate and service delivery, and should be given a chance to continue his good works in Senate come 2027.
Also speaking, an Abakaliki city father, Chief Bekee Orji, who hails from Isuochi, in Umunneocha Local Government Area of Abia, also stressed the need for Orji Uzor Kalu to be re-elected in 2027.
He said that Orji Uzor Kalu is a man of influence, which he said is necessary for effective representation and service delivery.
He said that Orji Uzor Kalu is the type of politician-businessman Igbo people need, stressing that thousands of Nigeria youths are employed in companies owned by the senator.
Bekee Orji also commended Sen. Kalu for his investments in the media.
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