Former Abia State governor and current senator for Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has claimed he personally funded government operations during his tenure as governor, just as he is now doing as a federal lawmaker.
Speaking on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television on Monday, Kalu said he did not profit from holding public office. Instead, he suffered financial losses, alleging that several of his businesses were seized by the Nigerian Government during his time in power.
“I spent my own money being governor, just as I am spending my money now as a senator. I used to finance the state — that’s the truth,” Kalu stated.
“I never benefited from being governor. On the contrary, I lost a great deal. The Nigerian Government shut down many of my businesses. Politics has been dangerous to me.”
Kalu Claims Major Role in PDP’s Formation
Kalu, who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, said he made substantial wealth in his early 20s and was a principal financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when it was formed.
“I was already a millionaire by age 24,” he said. “Ask any founding PDP member — I provided most of the funds they used in 1998 and 1999. At the time, the dollar had real value. I gave President Obasanjo over $1 million for his campaign and gave the party over ₦500 million.”
No Grudge Against Obasanjo
Despite claims that the Obasanjo-led administration targeted his businesses, Kalu denied harbouring any personal animosity towards the former president.
“I’m not quarrelling with him. He remains a close friend of the family. My late father and my mother held him in high regard. I don’t hold grudges.”
On Nigeria’s Economy: Reform Takes Time
Commenting on the state of the economy, Kalu acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms were underway but argued that most Nigerians had yet to feel the benefits.
“It will take another three years or so for the effects of these reforms to be felt. Nigerians at the lower level are still suffering, and the positive impact hasn’t reached them yet,” he said.