A Chieftain of the Labour Party Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu, Chairman of the ECK Foundation, has dismissed claims that he was approached by the Deputy Speaker and Ikwuishi leaders and persuaded to withdraw from the contest in favour of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressive Congress.
In a statement reacting to the claim, Chief Kalu described the assertion as unfounded, insisting that his decision to step down was made personally and voluntarily in the interest of peace and unity within the party.
According to him, neither the Deputy Speaker nor any other individual compelled, negotiated with, or persuaded him to abandon his political ambition.
“I took the decision to step down personally and voluntarily. Nobody compelled me, negotiated me into withdrawing, or persuaded me to abandon my ambition,” he stated.
Chief Kalu explained that he chose to withdraw because he wanted the party to approach the election without rancour, bitterness, or unnecessary division.
He said his decision was motivated by what he described as the broader interest of the party, stressing that he did not want an internal contest to create lasting divisions among members or weaken the party ahead of the general election.
The ECK Foundation Chairman also rejected any suggestion that his withdrawal amounted to an admission that he lacked the political strength to defeat Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in a general election.
While acknowledging his respect for Senator Kalu, Chief Emeka Kalu said he remains confident in his own political strength, grassroots support, capacity, and ability to compete effectively.
“I stepped down because I chose peace over personal ambition, not because I was afraid of the contest,” he said.
He stressed that voluntarily withdrawing from a contest in the interest of party unity should not be interpreted as an inability to win, maintaining that those who were close to the process were aware of what transpired.
Chief Kalu consequently urged political stakeholders to desist from what he described as rewriting history or creating narratives that do not reflect the circumstances surrounding his decision.
He said he takes full responsibility for his political choices and remains committed to the progress of the people, the strengthening of the party, and the broader political development of Abia State.
According to him, leadership sometimes requires putting collective interests ahead of personal ambition.
“I stepped down by my own decision, for the sake of party unity and a rancour-free election. I was not pushed out, I was not intimidated, and I was certainly not convinced that I could not win,” he declared.
Chief Kalu described his decision as an act of maturity, sacrifice, and political responsibility, rather than weaknes
