On January 28, 2005, Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans came out in droves to kick off Orji Uzor Kalu’s presidential campaign on their own initiative. They came from Europe, Dublin Ireland, California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and all over the USA and Canada to support Orji Uzor Kalu. The occasion was held at the luxurious Marriott Bethesda Hotel in Maryland, USA. The conference room was filled to capacity that the organizers who flew in from various states of the USA started scrambling with the hotel management for a bigger space to accommodate the crowd. The Chief organizer of the event Joe Nzepuome was very apologetic to the attendees saying that the event was planned with out even the knowledge that Dr. Kalu will be in town nor his permission, that this was just a coincidence that Governor Kalu happened to be in town to attend President George Bush’s inauguration ceremony.

Mr. Nzepuome further explained that the governor had no intention of braving out of his residence in a snowy weather but was forced out to come and see the audience when he the Governor could no longer handle numerous phone calls coming to his residence in Potomac from people demanding to see him. Many of the guests could not find seats but were happy to be standing. The Chief Spokesperson of the Orji Uzor Kalu 2007 Diaspora Campaign, Chief Ajibola Osinubi, clearly and methodically narrated Governor Kalu’s achievements while in office and why they believe he is the right man for Nigeria at this time.

The evening started with brief remarks by the attendees, some extolling Governor Kalu’s achievements in delivering major infrastructure, including roads, healthcare facilities, and educational resources in Abia state. Other attendees inquired on how Governor Kalu would transform Nigeria from its present state of lackluster progress, to the African powerhouse that she rightly is. Speculation was rife in the air as Nigerian-Americans sought to decipher this enigma of a person known as Orji Uzor Kalu.

The highlight of the evening was Governor Kalu’s surprise arrival to the event to mingle with his supporters and help them kick of the campaign and thank them for their support and their initiative. Governor Kalu restated his commitment to restore Nigeria to its full potential and glory and pledged to take Nigeria and hand it back to Nigerians. He took time to address the huge gathering after which he took questions from the audience. As the evening progressed, Governor Kalu went ahead to recount his administration”s two-term achievements in specific areas like road infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security of lives and property, among many other areas .

Most of the attendees eagerly seized the town hall opportunity, to freely bombard the Governor with a barrage of questions about his claims of achievement, in both public and private life. No question was off limits as the Governor calmly took one question after the other.

Some questioners wanted to know why Governor Kalu believed he will emerge victorious in his party’s potentially fierce and arm twisting primary elections. In response, Governor Kalu asserted that he welcomes the opportunity for a vigorous primary election process. Governor Kalu reiterated that he was running on his record as a high achieving two term governor, as well as a founding member of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP).

He also reiterated his ability to win a freely and fairly contested election, while maintaining an ability to match any candidate on any terms. Based on Governor Kalu’s responses, there seemed to be a credible potential that Governor Kalu will deliver on his assertion, and match rhetoric to action, how Governor Kalu intends to do just that, is a card he plays very close to his chest.

Zoobee Chukwurah
for Reality 2007 USA/Europe

Related Links:- 
Gov. Kalu declares candidacy amidst 'traffic' jam
Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu celebrates with President Bush
Kalu: The man who saw tomorrow?
Old Bende Backs Kalu for President
Abia governor is prudent with public funds
Apga Guber Candidate Pledges Support for Kalu