Former governor of Abia State and incumbent Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called for the fair treatment and full reintegration of the Igbo people into the Nigerian political and economic system, saying the country cannot make meaningful progress while marginalising the South-East.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Wednesday night, Kalu lamented that the Igbos have continued to suffer unfair treatment since the end of the Nigerian civil war in 1970.
“Since after the civil war, Igbos have not been fairly treated,” he said. “I have told you (Seun) this many times. I don’t hide in saying it — Igbos have not been fairly treated all over Nigeria. And I want Nigerians to know that they need to reabsorb the Igbos and play by the rules with the Igbos the way it is supposed to be played, so that everybody will move forward and the country will develop.”
The former governor stressed that the continuous marginalisation of the South-East would only slow down national growth and unity.
“As long as you want to clamp down on the Igbos, the country will find it difficult to develop,” Kalu warned. “We (Igbos) have a lot to offer.”
