Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, is the political leader of the South-East, declaring himself the most important politician in the region.

Kalu, who currently represents Abia North Senatorial District, made the remarks during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Wednesday.

“I’m a member of the APC and I don’t want to discuss Peter Obi. I’ve told you before,” Kalu said. “You can ask me about the leader of my party, and I will answer you, whether the question is right or wrong.”

The former Abia governor, however, said he would welcome a public debate if Obi were present. “Any day you want me to discuss Peter Obi, give us two hours, put him there and put me here, and we will be able to sort it out,” he stated.

Reacting to insinuations that Obi is the political leader of the South-East, Kalu dismissed such claims, asserting that his political achievements speak for themselves.

“He (Obi) is not my leader; I am the most important politician from that zone,” he said confidently.

Kalu also cited his past political accomplishments, recalling his performance as the presidential candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in 2007.

“I have won two states before under PPA. I ran for president before; my 4.9 million votes in 2007 are still there. We achieved a lot with PPA. We had ministers, ambassadors, and other appointments under President Yar’Adua,” he added.

Kalu maintained that his long-standing political experience and record of leadership firmly establish him as the most influential politician in the South-East.