Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, recently addressed claims concerning his support for President Bola Tinubu, clarifying that his loyalty to the president is not motivated by personal interests or any attempt to influence his past cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor of Abia State made his position clear in a detailed social media post on Monday. This response was in reaction to comments made by Dr. Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson and prominent Arise TV anchor, who had questioned Kalu’s intentions regarding his support for President Tinubu.
During a recent broadcast, Dr. Abati made the statement, “Many Nigerians say you (Kalu) are supporting President Tinubu because it was under his tenure that your case was dismissed due to lack of diligent prosecution, incompetent filing of processes and the EFCC was even prohibited from ever bringing up the case again.”
Kalu, currently representing the Abia North Senatorial District, strongly refuted Abati’s assertions, describing them as an insult to his character and an unwarranted attack on President Tinubu’s integrity as well. He emphasized that President Tinubu had no involvement in the court proceedings that eventually led to his acquittal.
Kalu elaborated further, stating that, “Dr. Abati, you know and I respect you a lot. I have known you for a very long time, and you’re aware of my strong character.”
“I had an ongoing case with the EFCC for many years, and throughout the 12 years of court proceedings, I remained dedicated. I never missed a single court sitting, nor did I attempt to evade justice. I am not someone who dodges court appearances, and I faced every session head-on.”
Kalu also cautioned Abati on the sensitivity of discussing matters that have been resolved by the judiciary, stating, “I want to remind you that revisiting issues that the courts have already addressed may come across as undermining judicial processes. It’s important to respect the judgments that have passed through the legal system.”
Kalu further reiterated, “The claims presented in court were never judged under President Tinubu’s administration. I attended every court hearing, listened to the testimonies of 19 witnesses, and not one provided evidence against me that could hold up.”
He added, “The reason for my sentencing remains a question only God can answer. Yet, I am grateful for the experience. My time in jail taught me invaluable lessons; I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of life. Reflecting on it, I am sincerely thankful. Interestingly, in that same year, I was scheduled to travel to Wuhan on December 19, and, as fate would have it, COVID-19 originated in Wuhan. There’s a chance that you might have been singing my funeral song if events had unfolded differently.”
In a powerful statement, Kalu declared, “Let me make it clear, I am not even afraid of death. Reuben, you know me well enough to understand that I am not intimidated by anyone. I speak my truth openly, and my support for the president and my party is purely out of loyalty and conviction.”
Addressing Abati directly, Kalu remarked, “Reuben, I am a member of the ruling party, and President Tinubu is my party’s leader. It’s only natural that I would support him. You, on the other hand, are neither a presidential candidate nor the leader of our nation. Even the Bible advises us to pray for and support our leaders, which is exactly what I’m doing.”
He concluded with some advice for Abati, saying, “If you’re committed to journalism, then remain in that role. But if you aspire to enter the political arena, then it’s time to step out of journalism and join us who actively participate in governance and public service.”