2023 Presidency: ‘Betrayer’ – Igbo Youths React As Orji Kalu’s Withdraws For Ahmad Lawan

Aggrieved Igbo youths have reacted to the sudden withdrawal and endorsement of Senate President, Ahmad Lawan by Dr Orji Uzor Kalu ahead of the 2023 presidential race.

Naija News reports that Senator Kalu, on Monday, had announced his withdrawal from the 2023 presidential race following his claim that the major political parties did not particularly zone their presidential tickets to South East.

Orji, said that he would re-contest the senatorial seat of his Abia North senatorial zone.

He also added that Iif no southeast aspirant emerges candidate at the end of the exercise, he would support Senate President Ahmad Lawan, from North East, who has also bought the form, adding that both North East and South East have face the same degree of marginalization in Nigeria’s presidential equation.

Reacting to the development, some Enugu youths who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Wednesday noted that the decision was ill-timed.

One Amaechi Eze, a student, said, “Orji Kalu is the highest ranking Igbo senator if not in the South East as a whole. His being vocal on national issues had endeared him to many.

“For him to withdraw his presidential bid because his friend Senator Ahmad Lawan obtained the form is to leave his faithful in the lurch. He should not be trusted.”

Oliver Ogbuka said, “He did it so much in a rush. He didn’t consult South-East stakeholders. It was wrongly done because Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not relenting from consulting national stakeholders for a South-East presidency in 2023.

“Orji has shown that he is selfish and not a democrat. Sticking to a president of Nigeria of South-East extraction would have made him a hero. It doesn’t matter whether he wins or another Southeasterner wins or not. It is to make a statement against the injustices being meted to our people.”

Another social commentator, Osmond Odo, said, “Lack of Igbo consciousness is the bane of politics in South East. One wonders if Orji Kalu belongs to Ohanaeze. His aligning with North East is to betray his people.”

For John Okafor, a businessman, “Orji might be in the know of where the pendulum will swing. The truth is that both PDP and APC are not ready for a South-East president. Orji saved his money and political stake by trying to hold onto his senatorial seat. He might also be avoiding distraction should court reopens his alleged corruption case against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”

Johnson Nriji said, “I’m left askance about Orji’s decision. He didn’t tell us if the 2023 presidency has been zoned to the North East officially. Why can’t he initiate a forum for deliberations between South-East and North-East stakeholders before arriving at any decision? His withdrawal dampened the spirit of many. It means there are things he hasn’t told us.”