No country abandons its leader, says Kalu

Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has appealed to Nigerians to remain calm in spite of the postponement of the general elections.
He made the remarks while hosting African students of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Mauritius to a breakfast session at his London residence on Sunday.  The former governor explained that terrorism facing Nigeria should be seen as a collective challenge to the African continent.
His words: “Nigeria is at war with Boko Haram and no country in the history of the world abandons its commander-in-chief in times of war. President Goodluck Jonathan has taken the bull by the horns and deserves the support of Nigerians irrespective of political, religious and ethnic differences to stop insurgency.
“Despite the insurgency facing Nigeria, we have a number of reasons to appreciate and support the transformation agenda of President Jonathan. With the support of western countries like United Kingdom and United States of America as well as neighbouring African countries, Boko Haram has been curtailed. All hands must be on deck to complement efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the aggressive fight against insurgency.
“The recent visit of Mr. President to Baga and Mubi is a clear indication of the renewed political will to ensure security and peace.”
On the forthcoming general elections, Kalu, who condemned the use of provocative words during electioneering, called on President Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to caution their supporters not to heighten the tension in the country.
He said: “We must imbibe the spirit of patriotism during and after the polls. I urge Nigerians to come out en masse to vote for President Jonathan for consolidation of democratic gains.”
According to Kalu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remained the most acceptable political party in the country for its transformative projects such as the railway system and overhauling of the airports, youth employment and infrastructural regeneration executed by the current administration.
The former governor, who described the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as a courageous and strong-willed leader, urged him to adopt other channels of communicating his concerns on national issues to President Jonathan, adding that attacks on Mr. President on the pages of newspaper were uncalled for and unpatriotic.
Kalu, who was scheduled to arrive United States of America yesterday, promised to meet the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, to discuss Nigeria’s developmental challenges and political issues.