Governor Kalu succeeds late M.K.O Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential polls as the Maiyakin Katsina. Abiola was turbaned Maiyakin Katsina in 1991, the title remained un-conferred after Abiola's death in 1998. Governor Kalu with the conferment, has been handed over Abiola's baton. Abiola was turbaned two years before the 1993 polls and emerged winner of the election. Now, Kalu is turbaned with the same title two years before the 2007 polls. One does not need to be a math wizard to solve this equation. Abiola did well in the North in 1993, on the same note, Orji Uzor Kalu is expected to amass votes in the North in 2007. Governor Kalu is expected to do well in the East as Abiola did in the West in 1993. If Kalu is to carry both North and East, the West will be doing itself a disfavour by not voting in the mainstream, at least in the presidential bout.

You can call it political mathematics, and if you do, you are correct. It is not political engineering, because it does not involve mobility of figures, nor structures. No adjustments. It is a popularity equation, which can be solved by drawing inference from a known side. Abiola was the most popular candidate in the North in 1993. Equating Kalu's northern popularity parameters to Abiola's viz a common Maiyakin Katsina baton or mandate, he is also to emerge most popular in 2007.

All hands seem to be pointing towards the same explanation . Most political pundits based on the turn of events, are throwing their score cards to Orji Uzor Kalu. In a letter to Kalu, signed by Secretary to the Katsina Emirate Council, Alhaji Sanusi Kabir Usman, the Emir said the title, which literally means 'The Warrior of Katsina', is normally conferred on warriors of high repute. Usman expressed hope that Kalu will use the title to fight for the good cause of the Katsina Emirate Council and the Nigerian nation in general. The emir speaking at the ceremony, appealed to Nigerians to always live in peace and work to ensure its development.