Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, has made it clear that his backing of President Bola Tinubu is not aimed at avoiding corruption allegations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor of Abia State addressed this matter in a social media post on Monday, countering comments made by Dr. Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson and current Arise TV anchor.
During a television broadcast, Abati remarked that many Nigerians believe Kalu supports Tinubu because his corruption case was dismissed under the President’s administration due to inadequate prosecution and incompetence in filing processes, preventing the EFCC from reviving the case.
In response, Kalu, who represents the Abia North Senatorial District, labeled Abati’s comments as insulting to both himself and President Tinubu. He emphasized that Tinubu was not President at the time his legal cases were handled in court.
Kalu stated, “Dr. Abati, I respect you and have known you for a long time, and you are aware of my strong character. I faced the EFCC and participated in all court proceedings for 12 years; I never evaded my responsibilities or missed a court date. I do not dodge court obligations.
“I’d prefer not to delve into the judiciary since discussing past cases can be sensitive. All legal matters concerning me were not judged during President Tinubu’s administration. I attended court hearings with 19 witnesses, none of whom testified against me.
“The reasons behind my imprisonment are known only to God, and I am thankful for the experience, which allowed me to witness various aspects of life. Interestingly, that year, I was supposed to travel to Wuhan on December 19, right before the COVID-19 outbreak began there; otherwise, my fate might have been dire.
“I am not afraid of death. You know me, Reuben. I speak the truth without fear. I support my party and the president, who is also a member of my party.
“Reuben, I can’t support you because you are not a presidential candidate and do not govern Nigeria. The Bible teaches us to pray for and support our leaders, which is exactly what I am doing.
“So if you wish to remain a journalist, continue in that role. If you desire to be a politician, step into politics and join us.”
