2011: Kalu Gets PPA’s Waiver

Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) said in Umuahia that it had granted a waiver to Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to contest the 2011 Presidency on the platform of the party.

Chief Oliver Eze-obiezu, PPA Publicity Secretary, said on Thursday, that the waiver became necessary following Kalu’s earlier romance with PDP.

“After due consultation we were able to persuade Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to return to the PPA and run for Presidency,” he said.

He said that the former governor of Abia would however not be an automatic candidate as the party would subject him to the primaries after which whoever emerge would carry the PPA flag.

“The reconciliatory committee we set up is still reaching out to former members of the party whom we feel are important in the struggle to reposition the party.”

“So all elective positions are still open for grabs for the better candidates,” he said.

Eze-obiezu said that nobody had the authority to stand in the way of Kalu to aspire for any elective post on the grounds that he left the PPA, adding that what the former governor of the state needed was the waiver from his constituency.

“Only the PPA in Abia will give him such automatic waiver, because we have the right to say he belongs to our party,” adding that such declaration was guided by their party constitution.

He said that though the party was still embarking on membership drive that there was no division.

“The noise we are hearing about factions and divisions in PPA is just part of the normal political intrigues that emanate from party men that want to be recognised,” he said, adding that Chief Larry Essien remained the National Chairman of PPA.

Eze-obiezu said that the party was reaching out to women and youth groups in the state and beyond and that their efforts were receiving a boost as the party had representation “even in Katsina House of Assembly’’.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 female aspirants are contesting for various elective positions in Abia. While some of the women are seeking for a re-election, others are running for the first time.

Our correspondent gathered that more than 90 per cent of the women aspirants who are in the PDP running for Senate include Mrs Nkechi Nwogu (Abia Central), and Mrs Carol Okoroafor (Abia North).

Those running for House of Representatives include Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Isiukwato/Umunneochi Constituency), Mrs Love Ezema (Arochukwu/Ohafia Constituency), Mrs Blessing Azuru (Aba North/South Constituency).

Others are Mrs Nnenna Ukeje (Bende Constituency), and Mrs Ezinne Offonry (Bende Constituency).