Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced the immediate suspension of the Senate Chief Whip, and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu over alleged anti-party activities and other offences.
The suspension is coming less than 20 hours to the National Assembly election in which the Senate Chief Whip is seeking re-election for a second term in office.
His suspension according to APC, is with immediate effect.
Kalu has been having running battles with the leadership and members of Abia APC.
He is being accused of undermining and sabotaging the party in the state.
According to his suspension letter dated February 21, the former Abia Governor was suspended for “acts of disobedience and gross anti-party activities.”
The letter jointly signed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Paul Nwabuisi; State Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah; and the State Chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, added that Kalu who has been at loggerheads with many APC chieftains in Abia, “has remained unrepentant and without remorse despite several warnings.”
APC explained that Kalu’s suspension came after “thorough investigations and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee set up by the Igbere Ward A in Bende Local Government of Abia State.”
The Abia APC leadership further stated that Kalu’s suspension was in consonance with Article 21B(i-v) of the APC Constitution, which he violated.
The letter read in part: “You are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The former Governor has been accused of working against the APC governorship candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike.
He has also been accused of promoting the interests of the Action Peoples Party (APP) against Abia APC where his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, is the governorship candidate.
Meanwhile, Kalu in an interview last Tuesday, publicly admitted and justified supporting and promoting the candidacy of his younger brother, Mascot, saying he is fit to lead the state.
Kalu also claimed that the APC governorship candidate never informed him formally that he was in the governorship race.
He also accused Emenike of insulting him and bearing grudges against him for decades, hence, his reluctance to work for him.
Orji said that Chief Emenike had been accusing him of scuttling his (Emenike’s) governorship ambition 29 years ago.
Abia APC which described the Senate Chief Whip as a drowning political desperado, accused him of working hard to destroy the party for his selfish interests.
Orji has also been facing popularity issues in his constituency opposing the electronic transmission of election results during the debate on the new Electoral Act where he claimed there was no network coverage in Abia North.
