Kalu Rejects Claims of Preferred Candidates Ahead of APC Primaries

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu has distanced himself from speculations surrounding the emergence of preferred candidates ahead of the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in the state, insisting that every aspirant must be given a fair opportunity to contest.

Kalu, in a video posted on his Facebook page, declared that he has neither compiled nor endorsed any list of candidates for the upcoming primaries involving the Abia State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial positions.

According to him, internal democracy remains the foundation of every credible political process and should not be undermined by the personal interests of political leaders.

“I do not have any prepared list for the upcoming primaries in Abia State, whether for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, or Senatorial tickets,” Kalu stated.

The former governor maintained that as a democrat, he strongly believes that party members should be allowed to freely decide who emerges as candidates of the party through transparent and credible primaries.

He also appealed to leaders of the APC in Abia State to refrain from imposing candidates or manipulating the process in favour of particular aspirants, warning that no party member should be denied a fair chance.

“My belief, as a democrat, is that all aspirants should be given a level playing field during the primaries. I therefore urge other leaders of the APC in Abia State to allow party members freely elect their candidates. No one should be shortchanged,” he added.