Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, has advised Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to resolve his political differences with President Bola Tinubu for the benefit of Zamfara residents.
Speaking on Monday while commissioning the newly constructed Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and renovated Zamfara College of Arts and Science in Gusau, Kalu warned that Zamfara could miss out on crucial development opportunities if the governor fails to establish a cordial relationship with the President.
"I want you to heal your political differences with the President," Kalu stated. "I know you are PDP. I am APC. The President is APC. Do PDP as a party but do economic development as a Zamfara man so Zamfara can develop."
Political Economics Over Party Loyalty
The former Abia governor clarified that he wasn't suggesting Governor Lawal abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), but rather advocating for a pragmatic approach to governance that prioritizes state development.
Kalu, an APC chieftain, shared his personal experience of maintaining a good relationship with Tinubu despite being in different political parties when he was governor of Abia State while Tinubu was with the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
"The president is not only my brother; he is my friend. People thought we met when we were governors, no. My children used to live in his house. Mrs Tinubu brought those girls up because we were living in Abia but they schooled in Lagos. They lived in Marina, in the president's house," Kalu revealed.
He emphasized that despite past political differences with President Tinubu, they have reconciled their relationship. "Whatever my political differences with the President were, we have healed up and we are one," he added.
Development Over Political Differences
Senator Kalu urged Governor Lawal to engage in "political economics" to secure more federal funding for development projects in Zamfara State. This approach, according to Kalu, would ensure that political differences don't hinder the state's progress and development.
The advice comes at a critical time when many states are seeking increased federal support for infrastructure development and security challenges, particularly in northern Nigeria where Zamfara has faced significant security issues in recent years.
Governor Lawal, who was elected on the PDP platform, has yet to respond publicly to Senator Kalu's advice.
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