Abia North rerun: Kalu advocates one man, one vote

A former Governor of Abia State and Progressive People’s Alliance candidate for Abia North Senatorial  District, Dr. Orji Kalu, has called on the electorate to cast their votes peacefully on the yet-to-be-announced date for the rerun poll in the area.
Kalu pledged to live up to expectation if elected.
He commended the three-man panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, headed by Justice I. G. Mbaba, for declaring the March 28 election in Abia North Senatorial District as fraudulent and marred by high-level rigging and falsification of results, adding that the action of the judiciary is a clear indication that the will of the people has prevailed.
According to the businessman-cum-politician, while addressing a mammoth crowd of market women and artisans, who besieged his Igbere abode on Monday, the only way Nigeria can sustain its growing democracy is to uphold democratic values anchored on transparent and credible polling.
He said: “The last Abia North election result was mutilated at the collation centre by the opposition who were afraid of the overwhelming support and votes PPA recorded.
“The large number of votes in my favour is a testament to the trust and confidence the people have in my capacity.
“Before venturing into politics, I had been creating job opportunities and wealth for the teeming populace through my business entities.
“The Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation has also been contributing and complementing government efforts in the critical areas of health, education and democracy.
“During my tenure as governor, we empowered the poor and made life meaningful for Abians by adopting a people-oriented approach to governance, especially through our free education and free health schemes.
“I am aware of the challenges of our people and region and collectively we can rebuild our communities.
“We will pursue special intervention projects with the support of the Federal Government in the areas of job creation and road construction and reconstruction, which will ultimately improve the lots of the people.
“In essence, my approach will be all-inclusive and purposeful for the common good, if elected.”
The former governor, who decried the massive irregularities that characterized the last election in Abia North Senatorial District, called on the people not to allow selfish politicians bribe them with money and consumables as they have nothing to offer, noting that the era of politicians using the back door to find their way into leadership positions is now a thing of the past.
Kalu used the opportunity to advocate strong penalties for perpetrators of electoral fraud, adding that electoral law violators at the last Abia North Senatorial District poll should be made to face the wrath of the law.
The astute politician also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to sensitize the electorate and political parties on the  consequences of electoral malpractices.