Yerima to North: Don’t abandon your long time ally, Kalu

The National President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima, has cautioned the North over the dangers of abandoning a former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to his fate.
Yerima spoke on Monday with newsmen in Kaduna.
He said the former governor, being a long time ally of the North, should get support from the North in his hour of trial.
Yerima frowned at the attitude of the Northern leaders over Kalu’s case, which he said has brought suspicion and distrust.
He said: “Kalu has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria’s economy.
“In the South East, Kalu has also worked very hard for the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, has been in the forefront of promotion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and policies and should be appreciated instead.
“On several occasions, Kalu has proven in act and deeds how detribalised and generous he has been to both the North and West.
“Despite being Igbo, he has extended the same commitment he has given to his people to other parts of the country without prejudice.
“The North cannot claim to be unaware of the reasons for Kalu’s predicaments.
“It would amount to betrayal and posterity will definitely be unfair to the entire North.
“The North is known for sustaining friendship.
“We are not known as people who could sacrifice friendship for political gains.
“We don’t believe in forgetting the past because it’s part of our lives.
“Kalu holds several titles in the North and has been a very strong ally of the North.
“His friendship with President Buhari dates many years ago, as well as General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar and several others.
“We shouldn’t be proud of his incarceration.
“We should be ashamed of allowing some people have their way at his expense.
“It is important the Northern and South Western leaders overlook whatever motivated his incarceration and intervene now.”
Asked why he is so concerned about Kalu’s friendship with the North, Yerima said tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming, adding that as a Northerner, he is very much concerned about tomorrow.