Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, on Friday met behind closed doors with a former governor of the state, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu at his Nvosi, Ngwa private residence in Abia State.
The Abia-North Senator, who is also the Senate Committee Chairman on Privatisation and Commercialisation arrived at Otti’s residence at exactly 5pm, accompanied by a few of his close aides.
Decked in his usual white attire and a red cap, Kalu alighted from his vehicle and exchanged warm pleasantries with the governor who was already awaiting Kalu’s arrival.
In a brief chat with newsmen, Kalu informed that the purpose of the visit was to discuss issues pertaining to the progress of the state and to brief the governor on happenings at the National Assembly.
He commended the governor for his efforts at transforming the state.
On his part, the governor commended Kalu for his representation. He also urged politicians to set aside their political affiliations and focus on moving the state forward.
Shortly after both leaders headed straight into the building for subsequent engagements.
The August meeting comes less than 48 hours after Kalu held a unification meeting with members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) at his Igbere Camp Neya country home.
The meeting had in attendance, loyalists of the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Ikechi Emenike and other stakeholders of the ruling party.
According to news reports of what transpired at the meeting, Abia State chairman of the party, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu described Kalu as a priceless asset to the party in the state and at the national levels.
Ononogbu recalled how Kalu’s fatherly guidance helped him reconsider resigning his chairmanship position amidst party infractions, declaring Kalu’s home as the fortress of the party in Abia State.
He also urged the warring factions to sheath their swords while lamenting the lack of unity among stakeholders, which caused losses in the last elections.
Chairman of Kalu’s OUK Movement, Mr. Sunday Ogbaja Orjisi, also lamented that fighting within the party led them to lose Governor Otti to the Labour Party after he dumped the party prior to the elections.
“Some people have taken advantage of the disunity and on behalf of the OUK Movement, we have all agreed to work with the APC chairman. APC has all it takes to be in the Government House.
“Even Governor Otti is a member of the APC, but we lost him to the opposition. There should be no discrimination for us to make progress. All factions must be carried along by all the leaders,” Orjisi said.
