Orji Uzor Kalu joins APC, says the ‘upright war’ is to deliver south-east

Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

John Oyegun, chairman of the APC; Segun Oni, deputy national chairman (south); and Mala Buni, national secretary of the party, were among the party’s official that received the billionaire businessman at the APC secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said he decided to join the ruling party after pressure from his close friends and associates, adding that the “upright war is to deliver the south-east” for his new party.

“Let me thank my brothers in the national working committee of this party for their effort,” he said.

“Three of them have hosted me to dinner for more than 20 times while they were trying to dissuade me from going back to the PDP because they know that I am very close to Senator Makarfi and Senator Sherrif.

“Both of them are very close friends of mine and colleagues. In eating those dinner, the last of which was five days ago, to seal the deal.

“The national secretary is my brother and we talk regularly. They have been on my neck for a long time that I must come. Today is a happy day and I want APC to be all inclusive, no matter our tribe, religion or special status.

“I want to thank the national chairman for having this opportunity for personally welcoming us.

“I am coming in and God will help me to bring value. Between Sunday when I registered at Igbere (his hometown in Abia) and now, there are 4,000 members new members already registered with the APC in Abia.

“Without making it open, there are two members of the house of representatives who are there right now that are joining the APC.

“So, it is a work that we must carry to a logical conclusion. Our upright war is that the south-east will be delivered to the APC. God will help us to do this.”

Kalu served his two terms as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but floated the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), after falling out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

At a point, Kalu returned to the PDP, but later joined his party, where he contested the senatorial election but lost to Mao Ohabunwa of the PDP.

He is currently standing trial for alleged corruption.

Last month, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him before a federal high court in Lagos on 34 counts bordering on money laundering.