One of the most bizarre pictures of the current political era appeared on the internet on Monday 11th April 2022.
A picture of a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Hon. Chikwendu Kalu and a former Abia Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe with their purchased presidential expression forms sent tongues wagging.
Kalu who currently represents Isiala-Ngwa South State Constituency and Ndukwe who once represented Bende North State Constituency caused serious confusion in Abia with their moves, as many political analysts have seen their moves as distracting more than interesting.
News Echo reports that barely two days ago, a former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, immediate past President of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa and the Chairman of the Diaspora Igbo group, the Igbo World Assembly (IWA), Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze have all met and agreed to work together to ensure a single Igbo aspirant emerges the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Many people think that Kalu and Ndukwe coming up with N40 million each to buy presidential expression forms is not in the good interest of Ndigbo as both men may be on a mission to destabilize the chances of more credible aspirants by reducing the votes of the South-East.
“I respect the rights of Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, but is he really serious about this? We all know him and his antecedent. We saw him in a state Constituency election in 2019.
“Tell me how a man like Cosmos Ndukwe who woefully lost an election in 2019 in Bende North State Constituency will think he can make an impact in PDP primaries?
“As far as I’m concerned, somebody is sponsoring people like him to repeat what Ndigbo did to Alex Ekwueme in 1999 when they sold their birthright. Is Ndukwe well known beyond Abia?
“Tell me any state part of Abia aside from Bende North or Aba North where he is doing his hotel business where he is known at all? This is why Ndigbo cannot go far in politics.
“Why can’t he support our most credible aspirants who stand more chance than becoming a source of distraction? It is his constitutional right to contest but I can see the hands of Esau and hears the voice of Jacob,” Patrick Amakalam, an Aba based political analyst said.
Mr Azubuike Anayo however said that Kalu’s picking of presidential expression form is not bad because of what is happening in Abia, where it is alleged that the Abia PDP leadership may have sold votes of Abia delegates in support of Rivers State Governor.
“If you don’t know, there is a rumour that Abia PDP, in fact, two PDP states may have compromised against South-East presidency with absolute support from two Governors of PDP to their Rivers counterpart.
“Some PDP members who are not comfortable with what is happening in Abia may have pushed Kalu, who is a statutory delegate on the move.
“There is a way things will be, a change needs to happen. Some will blame Kalu, but I don’t. Some people are beginning to repeat the 1999 betrayal move.”
Speaking after buying the form, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe said that apart from satisfying the prerequisite constitutional academic qualification, he is mentally and physically prepared to recover Nigeria and hand the same over to the real owners, the people.
Ndukwe who is popularly referred to as Street General in Aba, said, “When the people are enthroned, the minutest policy will contribute to rebuilding Nigeria. It is the PEOPLE’S TIME. THAT TIME IS NOW,” he said.
An activist and political analyst, Jaja Martins said that Hon. Chikwendu Kalu has invested wisely, stressing that the former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly will remain relevant and prominent in state and national politics for a long time.
“He has taken a step too many politicians are too myopic to take. Those who make light fun of his bold step do not understand the rudiments of playing politics to remain relevant even beyond your peers.
“After 2023, that is, if he does not make it to Aso Rock, Kalu will be addressed as a former Presidential aspirant and many will call him Presidential hopeful.
“This is the highest respect given to anybody from Abia State under the platform of the most viable political party in Africa, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“He will become an automatic stakeholder in the national politics of the PDP. This is an added advantage to the people of Isiala-Ngwa South and indeed, Abia State. Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu has taken a bold step in the right direction. Let us cheer him up.”
