The declaration was made yestertday at a stake­holders’ meeting held at the Igbere country home of the businessman-cum poli­tician.
According to the trio of Hon. Eze Chikanayo, Mr. Ekekwe Egu (a.k.a. Otimk­pu Jesus) and Hon. Charles Amah of the All Progres­sives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) respectively, Kalu remains the best choice for the ad­vancement of Abia North. They also said his achieve­ments while he held sway, as Abia governor were commendable, noting that with Kalu’s political clout and network of contacts, the region would witness responsive representation at the Red Chamber.
Chikannayo said: “Stakeholders in Abia North have decided to bury their differences in the interest of the collec­tive needs of the people. The candidature of Kalu means a lot to Abia North as he is well-loved by the people owing to his phil­anthropic gestures beyond party lines.
“He is a man of the masses, an advocate of peace and a patriotic Ni­gerian. Kalu is needed in the Senate to propagate the cause of Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.”
Egwu, in his words, said: “Kalu is a big mas­querader in Igboland. He is the people’s choice and we have no doubt in his capacity to represent us at the Senate.”
According to the APGA chieftain, the March 5 sen­atorial election is apoliti­cal as the people of Abia North, regardless of party affiliation, have resolved to collectively support Kalu, whom he described as a selfless leader.
“He is passionate about the people’s welfare.”
The chieftains jointly charged the electorate to maintain law and order before, during and af­ter the rerun poll, adding that Kalu will sustain his humanitarian gestures if elected into the Senate.
The gathering had in at­tendance Hon. Chubuike Jonas, Dr. Udensi Okpa­ra, Hon. Paul Uche, Jus­tice Sunday Imoh (retd), Chief Daniel Akwara (Osu zu), Chukwu Ndem, Ben Kalu, a lawyer, and Hon. Udeogu Jones, among oth­ers.