One unique deed of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is his passionate quests for peace and progress in Nigeria. He raises his voice in advocacy for patriotic adventures, policies and programs that will engender and sustain the labours of our heroes past.
Little will anyone doubt the thought that Orji Kalu’s political journey is one decorated with hurtful, piercing arrows on him due to his bold and fearless stands for the unity of Nigeria, especially for the unification of Igbo; he has never looked the other way whenever Igbo is deprived of their deserves by the government at the center. He is not a newbie in Igbo struggle for emancipation and never plays to the gallary or agitates to curry favour or seek applause from the masses.
While governing Abia State in his youthful strengths and wisdom, he stood bold to challenge the marginalization deeds of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to a point that the federal government fought him with all manner of arsenals within their reach yet he never turned his back on Igbo.
Igbo marginalization stems from the fact that the Igbos who dominate the South Eastern Nigeria are deprived the right and support to preside the affairs of the country as president. Evidently, this has placed the North, West and Igbo on opposite sides. While the North had had unsparing times as President and are still in power today, the West seconds in this number of occurrence while the East is yet to say jack in that office. The best lofty elective position they have reached since independence is the office of the Senate President. This is nothing more than an outright marginalization of the people.
Orji Kalu believes strongly that the best approach to solving national issues is not by taking up arms, banditary or secession but dialogue. No wonder he stood up to take the offer to dialogue with the dreaded Boko Haram sects in the north in 2014. Who knows how far Nigeria would have faired if that one pulled through.
If the deeds Orji Kalu endears himself to are brought to the open, many would take back their odd words. Just as he has been silently visiting and seeking avenues Nigerian leaders, past and present can unify to address many issues bedevilling the country, he has come out openly, pleading for the federal government intervention in the matters of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.
As a believer in the saying that what is good for the geese is good for the gander, he suggests that since a lot of insurgents and bandits have been granted amnesty, the duo of Kanu and Igboho should not be different.
Orji Kalu didn’t speak as an Igbo leader but a Nigerian leader who believes in the unity of this country.
At no time in his political or independent life has he supported any divisive struggle against Nigeria. He believes that the country is better off being in unity. At this time of our national life, it is evident that the surest way to entrench peace is to make sure that IPOB and followers of Sunday Igboho are granted amnesty.
