Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, yesterday commissioned key infrastructural projects in Zamfara State and called on Governor Dauda Lawal to set aside political differences for the sake of economic development and the wellbeing of the people.
Kalu, a leading figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), commissioned the newly constructed Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the renovated Zamfara College of Arts and Science, both located in Gusau, the state capital.
Speaking during the ceremony, the former Abia State Governor urged Gov Lawal, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to maintain a working relationship with President Bola Tinubu in order to attract Federal Government’s support and accelerate development in Zamfara.
Kalu stressed that he was not calling on Lawal to defect to the APC, but to adopt what he described as ‘political economics’ in the interest of the state.
“The president is not only my brother; he is my friend,” Kalu said. “Whatever our political differences were, we have healed them. I want you to do the same. You can remain in the PDP but work closely with the President for the benefit of Zamfara.”
Kalu cited his own experience as Governor of Abia State under the PDP, during which he maintained a cordial relationship with then Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, who was of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) at the time. He explained that such collaboration helped foster development, despite party lines.
He continued: “Once you leave economic diplomacy and play politics, you will lose, Zamfara people will lose. If you do political economics, you get the federal money and develop Zamfara State.”
The senator also urged unity among political leaders in the state, particularly between Governor Lawal and former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, emphasising that development must take precedence over political rivalry.
“This place needs the attention of the Federal Government. I’m not saying that you should join their party but I am saying that you should be on good terms,” Kalu added.
He concluded by encouraging all political actors in Zamfara to work together and embrace a bipartisan approach in pursuit of tangible progress for the citizens of the state.