“Why Obasanjo Ruined My Businesses” – Orji Kalu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Over two decades after, former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzoh Kalu, has continued to relieve how former President Olusegun Obasanjo, almost, ruined all he  had laboured for in the world of business.

He explained that he and all those who dared to place the interest of Nigeria above personal ambition, and fought to frustrate Obasanjo’s alleged third term bid paid a heavy price for their preferences.

In an interview with the News Central TV, the Senator representing the Abia North District at the National Assembly, however, pledged his unflinching commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria despite his travails.

Kalu lamented that the former President, owing to a political disagreement, between them, went the whole hog in ensuring the destruction and dismantling of his otherwise flourishing business empire which he had built long before venturing into partisan politics.

Kalu said his principled stand against Obasanjo’s third term bid, alongside other patriotic Nigerians, earned him the former President’s wrath.

This is as he insisted that such destructive and vindictive disposition by leaders do not make for economic growth and development ,as well as foster a sense of oneness among Nigerians.

“You saw a president destroying my businesses. You saw President Obasanjo destroy everything I suffered for; everything that I got before I became Governor.

“You saw him rolling down banks, rolling down shipping companies, rolling down airlines, cancelling all licences. So how can the economy grow? How can it be one Nigeria?”, Kalu lamented.

But despite whatever perceived ill-threatment, Kalu reaffirmed his unwavering commitment and unalloyed loyalty to the country’s unity and stability.

“My own is always one Nigeria; be, one Nigeria. One Nigeria where we’ll tell one another the truth. One Nigeria, where we will not destroy anybody’s business”, he added.

The Source further reports that Senator Kalu who presided over the affairs of Abia state between 1999 and 2007, was engaged in a bitter political acrimony with Obasanjo who was then president, resulting in the former quitting the Peoples Democratic party PDP to form his own political party ,the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA,  ahead of the 2007 general elections.

The Abia North Senator has, a number of times, accused Obasanjo of hiding under the canopy of their political differences to stifle his businesses.