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From Kenneth Udeh, Umuahia
The Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Kingsley Ononogbu, has described Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as one of the most easy-going and accommodating political leaders he has worked with, despite the senator’s wealth, influence and towering political stature.
Ononogbu made the remarks while addressing Senator Kalu during a courtesy visit to his Npka country home on Sunday, where party leaders and stakeholders gathered to receive the former Abia State governor and Senator representing Abia North.
In a frank and personal address, the APC chairman praised Kalu’s humility, discipline and willingness to submit to party leadership, noting that such attributes have strengthened internal cohesion within the party.
“Of all our members, I find it very easy to work with him, and he doesn’t say, ‘We won’t do it this way.’ He is one of the leaders who will say, ‘Chairman, if you say so, I agree with you,’ unlike others who could try to assert themselves as big men,” Ononogbu said.
He recalled a particular incident that, according to him, best captures Senator Kalu’s character and maturity in handling sensitive political situations.
“I remember taking him to a place, and I said, ‘We must go there.’ He said, ‘Eh, Chairman?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Chairman, the promise I am making to you is that that day, I will leave anger in my house, so that whatever this person does, even if he slaps me, I will…’ And he did that,” he narrated.
Ononogbu further explained that despite rising tension during the engagement, Kalu’s calm disposition diffused the situation.
“We got to the place; at a time, the thing wanted to change, and then surprisingly, I don’t eat corn, but surprisingly, he turned around and was eating corn with the people, and the thing ended up very well,” he said, adding that he detests backbiting and political intrigues.
Speaking on internal party decision-making, the APC chairman stressed mutual respect and reasoned engagement among leaders.
“If your opinion is superior to mine, I succumb to it, but I will know the basis. And that’s what we do,” he stated.
Ononogbu also highlighted the strategic importance of Bende Local Government Area within the APC structure in Abia State, noting its concentration of key political offices.
“I’ve said it everywhere: APC in Abia State is in Bende Local Government. We are the only Local Government that produced the Senator; we have the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, and all that. So this is where it is. And the State Chairman too! And the Minister is from Abia North,” he said.
According to him, the convergence of political strength in the zone should be harnessed for collective progress.
“Everything about politics is of common interest. If we harness it, we will make the best of it. And the good thing is that with his background and experience, he won’t be in any place now and you say you are not represented,” Ononogbu added.
He commended Senator Kalu for his behind-the-scenes efforts in positioning Abia State and its APC leadership at the national level, including engagements before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Earlier in his remarks, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu congratulated Hon. Ononogbu on the recent wedding of his daughter, describing the occasion as a moment of joy and fulfilment.
The senator explained that the visit was primarily to felicitate with the APC chairman and his family, while also tendering an apology for his absence at the wedding ceremony.
He attributed his inability to attend to pressing public office engagements, which he said had been duly communicated earlier, and prayed that God grant the couple a blissful, peaceful and enduring marriage.
Meanwhile, speaking briefly with The Sun at his residence, Hon. Ononogbu reaffirmed the APC’s determination to take over Abia State in the 2027 general elections.
Responding to questions on the party’s level of preparedness, he said unity remains the party’s strongest asset.
“Very prepared. Because the fundamental thing is to build unity. We have the party unified, and we have never enjoyed unity of purpose at the level that we are having now. And we are excited about it,” he said.
When asked whether such unity would extend to accommodating Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party, should he decide to join the APC, Ononogbu maintained an open stance.
“Unity is unity. I don’t talk about what I don’t know. But if at the end of the day he decides to join and joins the party, so be it,” he stated.
The visit the SUN learnt reasserts Senator Kalu’s continued engagement with party structures at home, as well as the APC leadership’s confidence in reclaiming Abia State through cohesion, inclusiveness and strategic mobilisation ahead of 2027.
