By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
The people oc Abariba community have endorsed Orji Uzor Kalu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Abia North Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections.
Thousands of indigenes of Abiriba community in Ohafia local government area of Abia state Saturday thronged to participate in Kalu’s campaign across the five ABSIEC wards of Abiriba.
The five ABSIEC wards covered were Amaogudu , Amamba , Amaeke, Agborji, Amaeke 2.
According to a statement Kalu’s campaign train traversed Bende, Umunneochi, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Arochukwu local government areas that makes up the senatorial district.
Speaking at the campaign, a former local government chairman of Ohafia, High Chief Uche Ogboso poured encomiums on Kalu.
He said during his time as executive chairman, “Dr Kalu who was governor then did not meddle in the finances of the local government councils in Abia State,” an act that enabled councils to perform in their different capacities.
“But today, the situation is totally different because the present government has seized all the leverages such that not even a single project is carried out by the local government councils. Therefore, before you today is a choice to make; the choice of a road working senator and a frying pan senator.”
Also speaking, a chieftain of the APC, Chief Obasi Uba charged the people to stay away from liars .
“It is better for Abiriba to follow candidates that do visible projects and avoid those with only online presence. There are more than 34 KM roads done by Dr Kalu and we look forward to him doing more. So we must follow the people that do what they say and what they do must be visible to us,” he said.
He said Kalu as a non senator had performed excellently and would do more if elected.
The APC candidate for Ohafia/ Arochukwu Federal Constituency Chief Nnamdi Iro Orji thanked the people for the heartwarming welcome given to Dr Kalu.
He narrated how he frequented Kalu’s home pleading with him on the need to rebuild some dilapidating Abiriba roads.
“I spoke to him several times and with the support of his personal friend , President Muhammadu Buhari, he has been able to increase his road networks in Abiriba.
“All the roads in Abiriba were built by him, beginning from when he was governor. No other person has added a meter to Abiriba roads and we are happy for his goodwill to us. If Abiriba wants more than 80% of the roads to be completed , we must vote OUK.
“He added that “since a good product sells itself , OUK has sold himself to Abiriba community long ago and Abiriba votes belong to him and all APC candidates.”
Speaking, Kalu said he had not come to campaign but to remind Abiriba people where they have been and where they were going.
He said the PDP leaders spend valuable time on making excuses rather than delivering developmental projects.
Kalu recounted his days as governor and how salaries and pensions were duly paid without counting it as part of his achievements.
“But today, salary payment is seen as utmost performance and yet they can’t even pay salaries. I gave Abians free education as governor and there was infrastructures in place” the senatorial candidate said.
He charged the community to vote all the APC candidates especially President Muhammadu Buhari.
