Skip to main content

Former Abia Governor Orji Uzor Kalu Defects to APC Amidst N3.2bn Fraud Case

From left: Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and the APC National Vice Chairman, South, Segun Oni, during the visit of Dr Orji Uzo Kalu to APC Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday (16/11/16). 8434/16/11/2016/Hogan-Bassey/ICE/NAN
A former Governor of Abia, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, on Wednesday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with prayer that God would use him to add value to the party.
Kalu was received at the APC National Headquarters, Abuja, by the party’s National Chairman, John Odige-Oyegun and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The former governor, who was recently re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 34-count charge for N3.2bn fraud, said that his defection to the APC was made possible by the persistence of some of the party’s chieftains who had been wooing him for some times.




According to him, “I was invited to dinner over 20 times by some of the party’s chieftains, including the national chairman, while the wooing lasted”.
“They had been on by neck, asking that I must come over to APC and the national chairman always buys me red wine. My red wine is still packed in his house and I visit his place regularly to chat because we attend the same church,” Kalu said.
Kalu, however, said that it was a privilege to be accepted into the party, adding that he would abide by its laws while remaining a good party man.
He thanked the APC national chairman and other party chieftains for the confidence they reposed in him and for making him join the party.
He assured that states being governed by opposition parties in the South-East and other parts of the country presently would be delivered to the APC in 2019.
“God will help us to achieve this, but the most important thing is the ability to consult, discuss and move forward. Nobody is an embodiment of knowledge; knowledge is in the hands of God and He will always give us knowledge,” Kalu added.
He prayed that the APC continued to wax stronger and for its leaders continued support for President Muhammadu Buhariin his quest to develop the country and fight corruption.
Kalu expressed optimism that though the country was going through rough times, good policy formulation would help to lessen the suffering of the people.
He expressed optimism that the APC would leave beyond 2019 contrary to the predictions of some Nigerians.
“Nobody can say that APC cannot go beyond 2019; Nigerians should change this behaviour that after every four years when there is presidential election, people will start saying they want to change party. APC has come to stay in my opinion and in the opinion of other people and the international community. If APC is going and its members that welcomed me here today are going, I will go with them,’’ he said.
He, however, said that he would not contest any position, but added that he would accept any role the party may find him worthy of playing.
“Once you are a party man and you are given a mandate to do anything, you will do it, but for me, I am an entrepreneur and I will like to go back to my business,’’ Kalu was quoted as saying.
From left: Former Governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; Women Leader, South East, All Progresive Congress (APC), Mrs Sally Chinedu and the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, during the visit of Dr Orji Uzo Kalu to APC Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday (16/11/16). Dr Orji Uzo Kalu officially joined APC in Abuja. 8433/16/11/2016/Hogan-Bassey/ICE/NAN
From left: Former Governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; Women Leader, South East, All Progresive Congress (APC), Sally Chinedu and the National Chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, during the visit of Dr Orji Uzo Kalu to APC Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday (16/11/16). 8433/16/11/2016/Hogan-Bassey/ICyegun, described the politician as a positive asset not only to the South-East, but to APC and Nigeria, who could be used to resolve the country`s challenges.
He explained that the party’s chieftains took time to woo Kalu to the party because of his attributes of resilience and commitment over the years.
“Given the attachment of the South-East before now, it was also necessary to go out for leaders who can contribute positively, who people listen to, and you fall into that category. Your coming and timing is very significant, but I must say that you have a lot of

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Money Doublers Two men paraded in Kwara for attempting to dupe woman of N700,000

The suspects were apprehended after the victim raised an alarm concerning the fake promise. They were about to collect an additional sum of N500,000 from the woman. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have paraded two fraudsters in Kwara State, for attempting to dupe a businesswoman of the sum of N700,000. According to the  Daily Post , the suspects promised to double the money for the woman using a chemical. Pedro Awili , the state commandant of the NSCDC, said that the men first approached the woman telling her that they needed N100,000 to buy the chemical. ALSO READ: Three young Nigerians set to receive honours Following this, it was reported that they returned to collect a N500,000 balance for the job. It was at this point that the woman reported them to security operatives who arrested them. Awili said,  “This led to the arrest of the two men who gave fake names and states of origin to the woman,” the Commandant added, noting that the two ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Country qualifies for World Cup for first time -Iceland

It was only two years ago that Iceland qualified for a major finals for the first time. Less than 18 months after sensationally knocking England out of Euro 2016, Iceland qualified for the World Cup for the first time on Monday following a 2-0 win over Kosovo. Needing victory to guarantee top spot in European qualifying Group I, goals from Everton star  Gylfi Sigurdsson  and  Johann Gudmundsson  ensured Iceland would be on the plane to Russia 2018. "I thought after Euro 2016 that the hardest thing would be to motivate ourselves again,"  admitted Iceland coach   Heimir Hallgrimsson . "The first beer after a party is not the best. The hardest thing was to get going again after our massive party in France." "And what's more in a group contested between Croatia, Turkey, Ukraine and Finland, who are much better than their position in the group would have you believe." "The success is not an end in itself but a long journey towards a final ...
Post a Comment
Read more

“The whole nation has failed these children,” Tunde Bakare says

Bakare spoke on Sunday, April 10, 2016, during a special sit-out of the Bring Back Our Girls group in Abuja. he Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Gospel Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare has lamented the continuous captivity of the over 200 Chibok Girls who were abducted on April 14, 2014. Bakare spoke on Sunday, April 10, 2016, during a special sit-out of the Bring Back Our Girls group in Abuja, Vanguard reports. “The whole nation has failed these children. Parents, families and friends of our dear daughters, I am here today not just to speak to you, but to speak to the nation and to the world as one of you," he said. “I'm here as a father burdened by the captivity of our daughters, and I am here as a friend. I am here to express our frustrations and to speak of our undying hope as we wait expectantly for the return of our dear Chibok girls. “We are not unmindful that the Nigerian state failed to provide security for our daughters as they gathered to write ...
Post a Comment
Read more