A former Chairman of Aba South Local Government Area and former Commissioner for Science and Technology in Abia State, Hon. Okezie Erondu , has dismissed as false reports alleging that leaders of Ukwa La Ngwa extraction urged Barr. Olugu Kalu (Isi Bu Mba) to contest for the governorship of Abia State.
Reacting to the publication, Erondu said the report was inaccurate from its caption to the body of the story, stressing that it misrepresented what transpired at the meeting in question.
According to him, the gathering followed a personal invitation extended by Barr. Olugu Kalu to some of his friends and associates and was not convened on the basis of Ukwa La Ngwa leadership or any political platform.
Erondu explained that upon receiving the invitation, he asked about the purpose of the meeting and was informed that Barr. Olugu Kalu simply wanted to meet with him and some old friends.
Providing further context, he noted that both of them served together during the administration of former Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, where Olugu Kalu served as Deputy Chief of Staff while he served as Commissioner for Science and Technology.
He added that their relationship goes beyond politics, recalling that they both grew up on the same street at Ama Ogbonna in Aba and that he also supported Olugu Kalu when he contested for the position of Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State before Abraham Amah eventually emerged.
“I therefore considered it a friendly invitation and honoured it,” Erondu stated.
He further clarified that no one at the meeting urged Barr. Olugu Kalu to run for governor.
According to him, it was Olugu Kalu himself who mentioned that he was considering contesting for the governorship seat of Abia State and would be needing the support of his friends.
Erondu also addressed claims suggesting that the meeting represented a gathering of Ukwa La Ngwa leaders. He explained that the invitations were not issued along zonal or political lines.
He said that during the discussion, someone at the meeting observed that about 98 percent of the invitees appeared to be from one zone, to which Olugu Kalu reportedly responded that he would meet with friends from the other two zones at different times.
Erondu stressed that the invitation clearly indicated that the meeting was a private gathering of friends and not a political meeting convened on behalf of Ukwa La Ngwa leaders.
He urged media practitioners to always verify information before publication to avoid misleading the public.
