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2007: I�m running for presidency �Orji Kalu
Iendu Iheaka
Governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State on Friday confirmed his plan to run for the presidency in 2007.
Kalu made his aspiration clear in Umuahia on Friday during a courtesy visit to him by the Secretary-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Col. Joe Achuzie (rtd).
Responding to Achuzie�s speech during the occasion, the governor said that he looked forward to the future and was working hard to actualise his dream by making consultations with the Hausa, the Yoruba and Nigerians in London and America.
Kalu said that he knew that he was involved in a tough battle, but stressed that nothing could force him to backpedal.
He said: �There are few Igbo sons who can win the position of the president for the Igbo people and I want to tell you that I am one of those few who can get the position for the Igbo.�
Kalu acknowledged that the race for the presidential position needed someone who had a lion heart, stressing that he had what it required to be president in 2007.
Earlier in his speech during the visit, Achuzie thanked Kalu for making the inauguration of the new Ohaneze-Ndigbo executive possible and for his immense contribution to the progress of Igboland.
He regretted that the homage a worthy son like Kalu deserved was coming belatedly due to the work which the new executive faced after its inauguration.
He also congratulated him for being the first Igbo son to respond to Ohanaeze�s call for declaration of interest for the presidential position and urged him to brace up for the challenges ahead being full aware that there would be no chance for someone to drop-out on the way.
Achuzie reminded the governor that although the road to the presidency would be rough the Igbo would support any of their sons who wished to contest, adding that the Igbo were capable of winning the contest.
He also thanked the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Abia state for its hard work in tidying-up its home and putting up a standing supportive structure on the ground that would help to spur the organization to the crest of their dreams.
Achuzie called on all Igbo sons and daughters to pray harder, adding that it was only through prayers that the true and widely accepted candidate of Igbo extraction, who would not be rubbished for anything, can be selected.
He stated that the Arthur Nzeribe committee was not an Ohanaeze-Ndi-Igbo organization, adding that if he worked in the same line with Ohanaeze, it would be appreciated but also made it clear that when the Ohanaeze is ready, they will set up their own committee that will be answerable to Ndi-Igbo.
Sunday PUNCH November 7, 2004
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