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2007:
I�ll support Kalu, says Abubakar
By Uche
Nwosu
Correspondent,
Umuahia
Former
Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has said he will support Abia
State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu in his 2007 presidential bid. He spoke in
Udo Ezin-Ihite Mbaise in Imo State on Monday where he was honoured by the
traditional ruler of Udo autonomous community, Eze N.C. Ukeje during which he
declared that the Nigerian presidency was open for every Nigerian to
contest.
Abubakar
who also wished Kalu well in his future political endeavours was
accompanied to the town by Governor Kalu as well as his friends and well
wishers from the North including a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of
Trustees member, Isyaku Ibrahim who told journalists at the reception
ground that there was nothing wrong in the Kalu�s bid for the Aso Rock top
job.
Said he,
�Governor Kalu is good friend of mine. As for his presidential bid, I am
aware of it, remember he came to my house in Minna during the Sallah
period to officially notify me of his intention to
contest�.
According
to him, �there is absolutely nothing wrong in his intention to become the
President of Nigeria because it is not the exclusive preserve of any
region therefore, it is okay for him to aspire to rule the
country.�
Speaking
on Kalu�s chances at the PDP primaries, General Abubakar observed that it
is left to his party men and women to decide who would be their flagbearer in
2007.
Earlier,
Kalu who was also honoured at the ceremony had described the former Head
of State as a humble and patriotic leader whose contributions to the
realisation of Nigeria�s democracy cannot be wished away
easily.
He urged
Nigerian leaders to emulate General Abubakar�s simplicity and
nationalistic disposition on national and international issues adding that
by so doing they would return the country to the path of economic boom and
prosperity.
Before
honouring both the former head of state and the Abia Governor, Eze Ukeje
whose community celebrated its cultural festival tagged Udo Day 2004 had
described the two leaders as illustrious sons of Nigeria and called on
Nigerians to emulate their modest contributions to the
country.
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