June 10, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Kalu Orji-Kalu, went emotional and broke down on Saturday, at the valedictory session to signal the end of legislative activities, which began on June 11, 2019.
Kalu, who has refused to back down in order to support the candidates of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), announced as its preferred choices for the 10th Senate leadership, stood up to speak during the session when he recounted his experience in politics amid tears.
The two-time governor of Abia fought back tears, recounting his ordeal in prison at the Kuje Correctional Service, declaring in a teary voice, “This country is not fair.”
Recall that the senator was convicted of money laundering to the tune of N7.1 billion belonging to the Abia State government while he was governor between 1999 and 2007.
He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of finance and accountant in the state during his administration, on 36 counts of money laundering.
While Kalu was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on December 5, 2019, Udeogu got a 10-year sentence.
Although the Supreme Court later nullified the trial and ordered for a retrial. But this was after they had spent months in prison.
Kalu returned to the Senate and took part in a plenary which ended on Saturday.
Providing an insight of his time in politics, Kalu said, “Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money can buy. I’m not a thief.
“Those that put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me yet I survived it and I’m in the senate with you”, he said in tears.
Speaking of his background, Kalu said, “I have never lacked, while I was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money that they used in forming that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief.
“People I gave transport money from my house in VI became agents. This is what Nigeria represents. Thank you for giving me these four years of uninterrupted support.
“This country is not fair.”
Present at the session were Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Malam Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Dr Akon Eyakenyi and former Deputy Governor of Zamfara, Hassan Muhammadu.
