From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Ahead of the Abia North senatorial election slated for Saturday, an industrialist has urged the people to vote for business mogul and former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, saying that the state and indeed Ndigbo needs a strong voice in the upper legislative chamber.
Chief Martins Ihesie, chief executive officer of JENIF Organic Ferltiliser company and erstwhile Imo State chairman of President Goodluck Support Group, in a chat with Daily Sun in Owerri, Imo State yesterday, noted that the former Abia governor has always been in the forefront on any issue concerning Ndigbo and that he should be elected by the people regardless of party affiliation for effective representation not only for the people of Abia North but, for the entire people of the South East.
This was just as the industrialist has pledged to provide free training in modern agricultural for the people of the zone if they elect Kalu, candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA).
He said: “Dr. Kalu, has shown that he is one politician from the South East who has the interest of Ndigbo at heart and has continued to speak out against the marginalisation of the region in the political and economic affairs of the country.
Continuing, he said Abia North and Ndigbo need the likes of Kalu who is focused, fearless and a man of the masses.
“My advice for the people is to disregard party affiliation and elect him for effective representation” he said.
Chief Ihesie maintained that Kalu has made a lot of people both in Abia and in Imo State, when he was the governor of Abia state.
“As governor of Abia, he appointed many qualified Igbos from across the zone as commissioners and special advisers which most of his colleagues from the same South east could not do. We are all aware that it was through him, Ikedi Ohakim became the governor of Imo State which shows that he is indeed, a true Igbo man. So, Abia state and South East needs him in the Senate” he insisted.