According to Kalu, the presidency is not a regional issue and can only be won with the support of other geo-political zones.
While maintaining that elections go along party line, not along tribal line, he said an Igbo man cannot be President without the support of other Nigerians.
He however implored the Igbos to sit out the 2023 presidential election and wait for another election cycle.
Briefing reporters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday September 20, Kalu said;
“Presidency is not a regional issue. I asked the political parties to zone the presidency to the South East.
” When they didn’t do that, and since presidency is not a regional issue, I had to withdraw.
“I have no problem with Igbo man being president. But we have to do it with other Nigerians.
” If we don’t do it with other Nigerians, it is not going to work, no matter how popular you are. It’s president of Nigeria, not president of Igboland.
“I’m an Igbo man to the core. I’m also a Nigerian to the core.
” If anyone from the Southeast would have been nominated for presidency, I would have been the one.
” So, it’s a party business. I have no grudges against anybody who is running.
“So, it is not personal. It is political and party. This thing is about party winning elections. I have chosen to be in APC.
“Why will I vote against Tinubu? It’s madness, and I’m not going to do it.
“Elections go along party line, not along tribal line.
“For me, we will wait for another time and see how all Nigerians will agree to zone the presidency to the Igboland.
“But for now, our presidential candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Tinubu is a strategic leader, he will make his presidency beneficial to the Igbo. The Igbo will be the biggest beneficiaries of Tinubu’s presidency.”
