From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia

Kalu also warned that there might be crisis should he be unconstitutionally removed from office as governor before May 29, 2007.

He spoke in reaction to a question on the reported Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) statement declaring his office and that of Vice President Atiku Abubakar vacant following their recent defection from the party.

The governor stated that nobody could remove him from office before May 29 2007 unless through due impeachment. He insisted that neither the PDP nor the President but the Abia State House of Assembly had the constitutional powers to remove him, stressing that he had not been found guilty of any gross misconduct to warrant removal from office.

His words: "The statement is arrogant and autocratic, not something anybody in his right senses would make. PDP is just one of the political parties and not INEC or the Abia State House of Assembly. I have not been found guilty of any gross misconduct, I only left the party which I have not been a member for about two years now. It is because they (PDP) know I would challenge them successfully in a free and fair election, that they will not get any vote in the South-East and South-South zones despite having a vice presidential candidate from the South-South zone.

" The PDP thought I was gunning for the vice presidency until they realised how serious I am for the Presidency. I urge them to go back to school and read the Nigerian Constitution well to know that the only way to remove a governor from office is by impeachment. If they do something unconstitutional, I will match it and them accordingly."

Disclosing that he envisaged the action, Kalu said he took steps "on December 20, 2006 to stop them from discussing that matter by going to the Abuja High Court to restrain them.

"I knew they would take that decision because they are a bundle of illegality. I went to Abuja High Court before I declared to restrain them from discussing it. They have been served by a court of competent jurisdiction."

Expressing hope of emerging President next year, Kalu added: "I am not for the VP. It is either I get the real thing (President) or I go back to my business, but I am getting the real thing. Nigeria must have new people, there must be a generational change, new people with new vision and knowledge of the common man's problems like those of the Niger Delta, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Middle Belt, Bakassi, Ogoni, Tiv, Birom etc and how to solve them"

On his opponents like Muhammadu Buhari and Abubakar he said: "I am going to beat them all in a free and fair election. Though PPA is young, it is all over Nigeria and I will soon embark on vigorous nationwide campaign. Nobody will rig this election.

"We have also selected Hajia Mariam Baba, the Kano State woman activist, as my presidential running mate. Her choice is in line with Beijing, China agreement that women ought to have a stake in everything. So she represents the womenfolk."