On Kalu’s presidential ambition, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President, Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey, stated that he urged Kalu to drop his presidential ambition, noting that the move was strategic and would enable the Igbo to speak with one voice on the 2015 presidential election. He added that his discussion with Kalu started about seven months back, when he met the former governor in Abuja to urge him to comply with the Igbo cause by reconsidering his plan to run: “We no longer want a situation where we speak from different points and our agenda should be the same. I have talked to him about his views. I have appealed to him to shelve it in the interest of the Igbo nation. I have appealed to him to join hands with us and at the appropriate time when we make our statement, it will be with one voice as a people.”

Indicating his acceptance of the position of the apex Igbo body, Kalu announced his totally withdrawal from the 2015 presidential race after intense pressure from Ohanaeze Ndigbo over six months. He added that his decision to withdraw from the race was informed by his determination to ensure continued peace and unity among his kinsmen.

“We felt that it will not be in our general interest to have divided view on 2015 presidency. I went to tell the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo that I want to run for Presidency and he told me not to pursue that ambition now. I will abide by my discussion with him because Igbos are one. I will not divide and would not want Igbos to be divided. I will always be an instrument to make peace in Igboland,” Kalu said.

Kalu was however displeased that in spite of his public declaration that he would not contest the 2015 presidential election, Governor Orji who, as a PDP governor with access to the Presidency, is not letting the issue lie. His frustration over the uncertainty in his re-admission to the PDP as well as its effects on his business and political interests may have contributed to their return to hostilities, with each attacking the other in the media space. Kalu is also reported to be nursing a plan to re-contest for the Abia North senatorial seat on the platform of his former party, the PPA, even as he continues to press for his re-admittance into the PDP.

On the other hand, Governor Theodore Orji’s senatorial ambition is no longer a secret. Like his counterparts in Enugu, Delta and Akwa Ibom states, Governor Orji, at a recent civic reception held by the people of Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano local government areas of the state, declared his intension to run for the senate in 2015.

The governor stated that his decision to go to the senate was due to pressure from his people to run for the senate and that he had no choice than to accept their request. “For some time now, there has been so much pressure coming from different groups, communities, individuals and organisations that I should run for the senate. Since this is coming from my people, I have no choice than to accept the demand,” he said.