Senator Orji Uzor Kalu claims Peter Obi is not a political leader in the South-East, saying he remains the most important figure in the region’s politics.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State and current representative of Abia North Senatorial District, has dismissed the political influence of Peter Obi in the South-East, declaring himself the most important political figure in the region.
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Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Kalu made it clear that he would not engage in discussions about the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stressing that his focus is squarely on his party—the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Let me be honest with you, I’m a member of the APC and I don’t want to discuss Peter Obi… I don’t want to discuss Peter Obi for any reason,” Kalu said.
Despite his refusal to speak on Obi’s political relevance, Kalu noted that he would be willing to participate in a public debate, provided Obi is also present.
“Any day you want me to discuss Peter Obi, give us two hours, put him there and put me here, and we will be able to sort it out,” he stated confidently.
Reacting to suggestions that Peter Obi is the leading political figure in the South-East, Kalu flatly rejected the claim.
“He is not my leader; I am the most important politician from that zone,” he asserted.
Kalu backed his stance by pointing to his political record, including his 2007 presidential bid under the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), where he claimed to have polled 4.9 million votes.
“I have won two states before under PPA. I ran for president before; my 4.9 million votes in 2007 are still there. We achieved a lot with PPA,” he added.
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He further recalled that the PPA secured ministerial, ambassadorial, and other strategic appointments during the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, emphasising that his experience and influence predate many others currently regarded as political heavyweights.
