Dr Orj Uzo Kalu Met With IBB Over Insecurity

Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu met with former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida(rtd) and Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State in Minna. Dr. Kalu and General Babangida met  behind closed doors.

According to Kalu, issues about 2015 and the future of Nigeria were also discussed during the parley. The duo had their meeting at the luxurious mansion of the former leader. Emerging from the talks which lasted for over two hours, Dr Kalu told anxious journalists  that he was in Minna to have a heart-to-heart parley with General Babaginda on how to end the bloodshed.

The former Abia governor faulted claims that the killings in the North-East were targeted at the Igbo. He said it was a Nigerian problem and therefore, needed the support of everyone to find lasting solutions.

Dr Kalu also dispelled rumours that his visit to the former military president had nothing to do with 2015 general elections. He said everything was laid on the table during the meeting with Babaginda.

Kalu noted that he hopes the former military leader will table some of the issues they raised during their private meeting with leaders at various levels for onward execution.

Although General Babaginda did not make any comment during the brief interview with journalists, he was full of smiles and nodded all through; a sign that he concured with the position of Dr Kalu.

Kalu’s words: “This is my home and I am always here. I always come to seek for advice and have a talk with him (Babaginda) on issues that matter a lot. I came here to discuss the level of insecurity in our country. It is a thing of national concern to all of us.

“General Babaginda is a past president and you know that wisdom is not something you can buy in the market. I cannot tell you the things I discussed with him. But he will take back what we discussed to the President, ministers and to security agencies. He will share them with so many people.

“The killings are not about the Igbo. Remember I told you people when it started, it started with the Igbo, after that, Christians became the target. Now, they are after Muslims and everybody. It is no longer about Igbo, Christians or Muslims. We are all involved.

“Like I said, my visit is about Nigeria. This is my home and there is no way I can sit with him without discussing about the future of Nigeria. This is our country and he (Babaginda) is our boss.”

Meanwhile, Kalu and Governor Aliyu yesterday  warned that unless politicians and other leaders of thought intervene to tackle insecurity, things would get messy.

The two leaders made the remarks when Dr Kalu paid a courtesy call on the governor in Minna. They said that leaders must not fold their arms and watch. The courtesy call on the governor was part of Dr Kalu’s nation-wide peace tour, aimed at sensitizing politicians and traditional rulers on the need to promote peace.

Dr Kalu, who was warmly received by Governor Aliyu, particularly reaffirmed the need for Nigerians to live together in peace, irrespective of our  differences. He said God did not make any mistake by bringing the different ethnic groups together to live as one.

“Your excellency, I bring you peace. Nigeria is at a very critical stage and things are really getting out of hands. Political leaders and traditional rulers cannot just sit back and watch the nation burn. We must come together and solve our problems.

“Nigeria is at a very critical stage. The nation is at  crossroads. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) might be growing, but people are not feeling the impact. That is why I am advocating that we live in peace in the interest of everyone,” Dr Kalu stated.

He re-echoed  his earlier call that Nigeria should adopt a two-party system. He said under a democratic rule, there was the need to adopt a two-party system in the country.

“I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But everywhere in the world, countries adopt two-party system. I believe we need to adopt the same thing in Nigeria, if we want our democracy to grow. We need a strong opposition so that the country can grow,” Kalu added.

Governor Aliyu said the kidnap of 100 school girls in Borno state will directly or indirectly affect everyone. He condemned the act and urged security agencies to double their efforts and rescue the school girls.

His words: “We should all be concerned about the state of insecurity in the country. Whether you are out of office or a governor and president, whatever affects one affects all. You may hear a death from a distance, but believe me, it affects you.

“The kidnap of those school children will affect every school child everywhere. I am happy that he (Kalu) came. It is good to know that we have people who care about the peace in this country,” the governor said.

Dr Kalu also made a brief stop at the Minna residence of Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, where he urged the traditional ruler to get actively involved in promoting peace. He said the role of traditional rulers in promoting peace cannot be over-emphasised.

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Abubakar thanked Dr Kalu  and further extended a former invitation to him to visit Bida, the palatial home of the traditional ruler.