Okwe Obi, Abuja
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has endorsed former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to represent the people of Abia North Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Abia South.
HURIWA said the endorsement became imminent because of Kalu and Abaribe’s nationalistic personality, adding that with their presence in the Senate, they would attract federal projects to the state.
Its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, while addressing newsmen, yesterday in Abuja, added that the electorate should look beyond his party and give him a chance, believing that he has the capacity to entrench good governance.
He said: “The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), the continental body of all human right writers, endorse Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe for Senate.
“We are basically a non political, religious organisation. It does not stop us from identifying certain persons in any country we operate in Africa, who have distinguished themselves, and those we consider as ambassadors of good governance, and one of those persons is Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, who is a very reputable employer of labour.
“Most of the businesses that he has even before he came into government, he demonstrated ethical traditions of not owing workers. And he is outspoken and not shy to make his position known irrespective of how controversial it may be.
“He is one of the few Igbo elites who is supporting the current president, which we do not share in that belief. We have a different opinion whether the president has performed or not.