Orji Uzor Kalu

Orji Uzor Kalu MON (born 21 April, 1960) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who is the senator representing Abia North Senatorial District. He served as governor of Abia State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. Kalu is the chairman of SLOK Holding and the Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers in Nigeria. Before his election, he served as the chairman of the Borno Water Board and the chairman of the Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited.

Quotes

• I am happy because the country is still intact. There is no division in the country. I am also excited that we are doing what is expected of us as the party in government. I agree that Nigeria’s democracy should have developed more than what we have now but certain circumstances made us to be where we are. It is better to improve on it because definitely, this is better than military rule. What we should strive to achieve now is unity and cohesion. That is why we should preach the gospel of unity to our people.
  • Interview response to the question 'This is the third year of the All Progressives Congress government in Nigeria. Are you happy with the situation of things?'

• The idea of my peace initiative came up when former President Olusegun Obasanjo started writing his letters and I believe that his action was threatening the unity of Nigeria. I observed that nobody took it upon himself or herself to put the record straight by faulting the arguments put forward by Obasanjo which are capable of causing a great division in the country.
  • Interview response to the question 'Is that why you led your Peace Advocacy Team to some South-West states recently?'

• Having gone to the South-West, our next plan is to visit the South-East and the South-South geopolitical zones in order to meet with the traditional rulers, leaders of thought and the governors there. I will have private talks with them and let them know the genesis of the problems facing the country.
  • Interview response to the question 'Is that why you led your Peace Advocacy Team to some South-West states recently?'

• The Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation has made a subtle pledge to Nigerians to preach peace through advocacy in all the regions. We will move to the North-Central region and other parts of the North after our peace initiatives in the southern part of the country. It is a commitment on our part to ensure Nigeria’s unity. I am a businessman who needs peace in Nigeria. Businesses can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
  • Interview response to the question 'Is that why you led your Peace Advocacy Team to some South-West states recently?'

• I ensured that he sat comfortably in a car and was driven straight to my house on Victoria Island the very day he was impeached. He stayed with me there for 90 days, eating my food and taking my drinks. Before his arrival, I had to change the policemen attached to me and brought in new ones. Before the new ones took over, I drove Ayo Fayose into my house with my car around 1am and the new policemen did not know who I came in with.
  • Interview response to the question 'There were reports that he escaped to Ghana after he was impeached, wrapped up and put in a car boot. Is that what happened??'

• I drove him in through the back gate, entered the building through the backdoor, and led him upstairs. He made himself comfortable because there is even an indoor swimming pool and other facilities. It was after three months that I advised him to make himself available to the EFCC. I told him that he could not continue to live inside the house forever.
  • Interview response to the question 'There were reports that he escaped to Ghana after he was impeached, wrapped up and put in a car boot. Is that what happened??'

• I actually thought they wanted to kill him; that was why I harboured him in my house for so long. I told him that as long as he did not tell anybody that he was in my house, his life would be secured. I allowed him to make himself available to the EFCC because he was declared wanted. I ensured that all the foods and drinks he was taking while in the EFCC custody were coming from my house to avoid poisoning.
  • Interview response to the question 'There were reports that he escaped to Ghana after he was impeached, wrapped up and put in a car boot. Is that what happened??'

• He was just playing cheap politics. He thought I was coming to Ekiti to campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari. He tried to stop me thinking he was fighting Buhari.
  • Interview response to the question 'So why did he try to stop you from entering Ekiti?'

• President Muhammadu Buhari is not a bad product. He meant well for Nigerians. If you know the level of damage done to the economy of this country before he took over: the Central Bank of Nigeria was looted during the former President Jonathan’s administration.
  • Interview response to the question 'But your task appears to be a difficult one based on the fact that you are trying to fault Obasanjo’s submissions which centred on the glaring non performance of the Buhari’s administration? Are you not trying to sell a bad product to Nigerians?'

• They raided the apex bank and took away the Sovereign Wealth Funds and other savings meant for future development of the nation’s infrastructure, health care, education, security and welfare of the citizens. If you know the level of economic decay inherited by the All Progressives Congress, you won’t describe President Buhari as an unsellable product.
  • Interview response to the question 'But your task appears to be a difficult one based on the fact that you are trying to fault Obasanjo’s submissions which centred on the glaring non performance of the Buhari’s administration? Are you not trying to sell a bad product to Nigerians?'

• All the economic indices which were displayed to us by the past governments are fake. As a businessman, I am in a position to know. I am one of the 10 foremost businessmen in Africa; I have my facts.
  • Interview response to the question 'But your task appears to be a difficult one based on the fact that you are trying to fault Obasanjo’s submissions which centred on the glaring non performance of the Buhari’s administration? Are you not trying to sell a bad product to Nigerians?'

• Nigeria’s economy was not doing well before President Buhari took over. As an employer of labour with over 9,000 employees, I know what has happened to Nigeria’s economy. Our problem is not political; we actually have serious economic problems confronting us as a nation.
  • Interview response to the question 'But your task appears to be a difficult one based on the fact that you are trying to fault Obasanjo’s submissions which centred on the glaring non performance of the Buhari’s administration? Are you not trying to sell a bad product to Nigerians?'

• I am not saying that President Buhari is perfect. As a matter of fact, no individual is perfect. He cannot do everything. However as a leader, he is expected to do his best and leave the rest to the person that will take over from him after his tenure. Buhari, in another four years, will be able to perfect the rule of law and ensure that the economy start off on the right foot.
  • Interview response to the question 'Are you saying that Nigerians should still trust the nation’s economy in the hands of Buhari for another four good years?'

• If for instance he passes on the baton to an experienced politician like Orji Uzor Kalu in 2023, I will put the economy on the fast lane and the nation would witness rapid economic growth and development. Let me assure Nigerians that Buhari will focus his attention on the nation’s economy in his second tenure. We will experience a progressive economy because I will be involved too as a senior member of the APC. We will not allow Buhari to fail.
  • Interview response to the question 'Are you saying that Nigerians should still trust the nation’s economy in the hands of Buhari for another four good years?'

• The reason killings are taking place in some states at the moment is because weak governors are in charge of their affairs. I was a governor for eight years and during my time, no herdsman can try such nonsense in my state. The governor is the chief security officer of his state. He should not wait for Buhari to secure his state at all times. He is the President of Nigeria with 36 states and Abuja to look after. The governors, who are shouting that herdsmen are causing havoc in their states, should rise up to their responsibilities. They should deploy security vote for the purpose it is meant to serve instead of diverting it.
  • Interview response to the question 'Many Nigerians may disagree with you that the only problem facing Nigeria is the economy. What of the herdsmen killings? Is this how it will continue for another four years?'

• When I was governor, I faced similar challenges and I tackled them squarely because I was giving out my security votes to the security agencies in the state. If the security personnel are the ones making use of the security votes for their operations, they would be happy and equipped to discharge their duties effectively. Those governors, whose states are being terrorised by herdsmen, should stand up to their responsibilities instead of crying foul. If all the governors stand up to their responsibilities, there will be peace in the country. How can only 30 people be harassing six million people in a state? The killings going on now are a modern day Boko Haram insurgency. I can assure you that Buhari will contain the killings in his second term.
  • Interview response to the question 'Many Nigerians may disagree with you that the only problem facing Nigeria is the economy. What of the herdsmen killings? Is this how it will continue for another four years?'