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Nigeria: A Blue Print

Nigeria Election 2007

Appeal Court overturns tribunal, validates Gov Orji's election -Guardian

Governor T. A. Orji of Abia State, Nigeria

THE Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Wednesday ratified the election of Chief Theodore Orji as the Governor of Abia State.

Delivering the lead judgment in the legal battle between the governor and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, the PDP candidate in the April 2007 governorship election, Justice Saka Ibiyeye, said Orji's election was valid.

Governor Orji had challenged the decision of the Abia Election Petitions Tribunal, which annulled his election and declared Chief Ugochukwu of the PDP the winner. The tribunal had quashed Orji's election on the grounds of alleged affiliation with a secret cult, the Okija Shrine.

The tribunal also based its judgment on the allegation that the governor did not resign from office as Chief of Staff to former Governor Orji Kalu 30 days before his election as required by law.

In the unanimous judgment by all the five justices, the Appeal Court in its verdict ruled in favour of Orji and his deputy, on all the 10 grounds of appeal. It held that the trial tribunal erred in law to have admitted in evidence a video clip purportedly showing Orji as being initiated into the Okija shrine. "No secret cult can be ascribed to the first appellant, the first appellant was never a member of a secret cult before his election as governor," Ibiyeye said.

The court further declared that Okija shrine remained culturally recognised and could not be in any way described as a secret cult.

On the issue of his alleged non-resignation from office, the appeal tribunal held that the Office of the Chief of Staff and that of the Commissioner, which the appellants occupied were not civil service offices. By such a development, the appeal tribunal held that Orji and his deputy could not be bound by the 30-days ultimatum as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. "These are political office holders, whose appointments are at the pleasure of the state governor. They are not in the employ of the state service," the court held.

The court observed that the judgment of the trial tribunal was "chameleonic'' and an affront to the law of the land. It therefore declared that Orji was the duly elected governor of Abia State.

 

Ogbulafor's Success or failure by: Nnanta Uwadineke KC Prince Asagwara, nwanne madu, Ekwe nyere m na ihe idere. Biko nu, Umu Igbo nyenu Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, the current PDP Chairman ohere. As stated by KC Asagwara, those of us from Abia especially Umuahia are going to start 'monitoring' his activities in his current position as the ruling PDP's Chairman. When he was the PDP Secretary-General,  I remember seeing him at the 2002 WIC convention at Houston, I think again in 2003 at Nashville,TN. He looked humble and ready to socialize.  After the war, he was a High School student at Government College Umuahia  where he came to do his Post-Secondary school education. Ndi Igbo si na nke mere eme gburu ekete. If the PDP whatever he did as their Secretary-General found it wise to give him the current position, Ndi Igbo especially in that political party ought to give him their 'backing' instead of trying to sabotage him. His success or failure DEPENDS on those very close to him especially Ndi Igbo and not our so-called 'Internet Tigers' or 'Naysayers' who see nothing good in a fellow Onye Igbo especially those at the 'top'. Most of you reading know that I usually don't comment politically unless ometurum. Nkaa really meturum. Ndi Igbo si na eburu ozu onye ozo odika ebu osisi kporo nku. So, please if you don't have anything good to say about Prince Ogbulaor's position BACK OFF and mechie onu gi. Nnanta Uwadineke.        Mazi Ani: Please give Chief Vincent Ogbulafor a chance before determining whether he will be, another waste of time. He is a very humble man even though born into wealth. I for one know one or two things he hopes to accomplish if voted into PDP Chairmanship. I hope to hold him accountable, if he fails and I will make them public. Regards, KC Prince Asagwara   Tribunal upholds Chukwumerije’s election • Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008 The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State capital, Friday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Candidate for Abia North in the April 28 in 2007 National Assembly election, Chief Mao Ohuabuwa, challenging the victory of his Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) rival, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije. The tribunal held that Ohuabunwa failed to prove his case and dismissed his petition for lack of merit. The tribunal also upheld the election of two other PPA House of Assembly candidates, namely Chiefs Matthew Ibe and Asiforo Okere for Umunneeochi and Ukwa East Constituencies respectively which were challenge by their rivals in April 14, 2007 elections. Dismissing Ohuabunwa’s petition against Chukwumerije, Mr Justice Adolphus Enebeli, who read the tribunal’s verdict, ruled that Ohabunwa failed to prove his claims that Chukwumerije was not qualified to stand for the election on the ground that he contested on PPA platform while he was elected in 2003 on PDP plafform but allegedly did not resign from PDP. The tribunal found that the law did not provided for such. The tribunal also held that Ohuaunwa did not prove his allegation that the senatorial election in Abia North was marred by violence and malpractices to vitiate or warrant its nitrification nor did he establish that the Senator did not win the said election by majority or lawful votes cast in the election neither did he establish that the conduct of the election was substantially in non compliance with the Electoral Act. Both Ohuabuna and Chukwumerije were absent in court but were represented by their Counsel: Mr Mike Onyeka and Chief Awa Kalu (SAN). Mr Eke U Eke held brief for Kalu while Chief Ifeanyi Iboko appeared for INEC. The tribunal verdict on the petition against Matthew Ibe was read by Mrs Justice Sybil Nwaks while Justice Audu Lawan read that against Okere. http://www.thetidenews.com/ Tribunal rules for Onyema Ugochukwu of (PDP) but T.A.ORJI of (PPA) remains Governor of Abia State till........ only God knows in God's own state On the ground report From Obidike Ajuluchuku Feb 25, 2008 Chief Onyema Ugochukwu is not the governor. He was never elected governor and he never won any election. Let us set the record straight based on the verdict of the so-called tribunal. What they said is that governor T. A. Orji won the election held in April of 2007. The tribunal clearly stated that based on the votes counted, candidate T.A. Orji received the highest votes out of all the candidates who ran for the office of governor. The so-called tribunal inferred that governor T. A. Orji did not resign his seat as the chief of staff of the state. We must all remember that INEC, the agency responsible for conducting all elections and to certify the qualification of any individual who is seeking an electable seat. The agency (INEC) said that Governor T. A. Orji was cleared, and that he has met all requirements to run for the office of the governor. In the matter of resigning his seat as chief of staff, he also resigned long before the required 30 days notice and his attorneys clearly presented the fact at the tribunal hearing. On the matter of belonging to a cult, governor T. A. Orji have in many occasions said that he never have been a member, not now, and he has never been a member of any cult.   The two issues that led the so-called tribunal to make the dumb decision they made makes a mockery of the democratic system. What they, the tribunal-was asked to do by all concerned are: 1. who won the election? They said that Governor T. A. Orji won the election by all counts of the ballot papers.  Any other issues seem to be a non issue as far as the electorates are concerned. The chairman of INEC made the announcement of the winner after all returns were counted. Most people will remember how some opposition boys beat up the INEC chairman at the airport demanding that he announce a wrong result which he refused to do. 2. its a shame to see that a political party like PDP and Ugochukwu's people will attempt to steal the peoples mandate from the back door. Governor T. A. Orji has said that he will abide by the ruling of the tribunal even in the face of a decision that shook the people up. The amazing people of Abia state jubilated upon hearing a leaked report favoring Governor T. A. Orji, but once they heard that the governor won the election by a landslide, they were not initially concerned about the other unfavorable reports of being a cult member or not resigning from a previously held office. To Abians issue was simple. They asked, were their votes counted and the tribunal said, yes. They asked if who they voted for won, and the tribunal said yes, they asked if whom they voted for was certified by INEC and the tribunal said, yes. For Abians democracy has taken its proper course and it has been handled appropriately.  Governor T.A. Orji said that he will appeal the decision immediately. Let us set the record straight from on the ground report, from the courthouse in Umuahia along Ikot-ekpene road in Abia state. Any other report from anywhere else is cell phone magnified and filled with mis-information. To my friend Enyimba, sorry but Ugochukwu is not the governor, not now and not later. The people of Abia state believes in God's vindication from tyranny and injustices. Case closed.

 

Supreme Court Sacks Andy Uba, Grants Obi Tenure Extension/Congratulations
2007/6/14
By Tony Orilade & Nnamdi Felix/Abuja

(l) Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (r) Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Presidentof ASA-USA (Anambra States Association, USA) As Anambra setes the stage for Stargered Governorship Elections in Nigerias Democracy

In a landmark judgement this afternoon, the Supreme Court ruled that former governor Peter Obi of Anambra State should go back to the Government House as governor of the state till March 17, 2010. The court also ordered that the incumbent Governor, Cheif Andy Uba, should vacate office as he ceases to be governor as from today. In the lead judgement, Justice Katsina Alu said INEC erred in law by conducting election in Anambra State when Peter Obi has not served his four-year term.

The court ruled that the four year tenure of Obi commenced from the day he was sworn in and will terminate on 17 March 2010.

All the six justices of the apex agreed with the lead judgement. They all agreed that a governor should only vacate office four years from the day of assuming office.


The Bombshell of Nigeria's election 2007

They said Obi had not served the constitutionally stipulated four years in office. The Supreme Court justices said a fuller explanations of the judgement will be given on 13 July, 2007.

Obi was not in court but his deputy Dame Virginia Etiaba was in court.

As at the time of filing this report, there was jubilation in Abuja by supporters of Obi in court.

In the second case involving former Governor Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State who also sought an extension of his tenure, due to his impeachment, the apex court referred the matter to the high court for adjudication

 

T. A. Orji (Oche-ndu)

Now we know Where PPA Abia Gubernotorial Candidate is being held.
Now that Governor Orji Uzor Kalu's former Chief of Staff, T.A. Orji of PPA has won the Abia Gubernatorial Election in a landslide victory, and his Party the PPA also won 22 Assembly Seats out of 24 seats in Abia State as decleared by INEC...

The question is what next will the PDP led Federal Government of Nigeria do?

Let T.A. Orji go home to Govern Abia State?

Continue to keep him in detention?

Change the rules of the game?

Trump up new charges against him?

It is time for the Feds to let the sleeping tiger alone.

For all lovers of Abia State, it is time to mend fences for the future of Abia State. And for those who grew up in Aba like some of us did, this is the time to form a new and positive coalition to ensure that Aba is never again negleted by anybody or government, State or Federal.

Stay tuned or write to igbobasics@aol.com

Men who won elections from prison

 

 

Abia drags EFCC to court

Abia State has directed its suit against the EFCC to the Federal High Court Umuahia following the Supreme Court's verdict rejecting it for lack of jurisdiction last week. Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Chief Ifeanyi Iboko, the Legal Adviser to governor Orji Uzor Kalu said that the suit sought the court's injunction to restrain the EFCC from its alleged move to freeze the state government's accounts and or meddle with them. The Supreme Court had ruled that the suit was to have been first taken to the high court for initial hearing because EFCC was not a creation of the Constitution, hence any litigable matter with it as a corporate body should first be brought to the appropriate high court. The legal adviser however corrected the interpretation given to the said Supreme Court's verdict by some media reports which claimed that Abia State lost in the suit, saying that the correct ruling is that the apex court had no original jurisdiction over matters between a state government and a body like the EFCC that was not a creation of the constitution.

Ohanaeze passes vote of no confidence on S/East Govs, Senators...
Re-affirmed its support for the Abia State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA)

By Tony Edike
Posted to the Web: Monday, March 19, 2007

ENUGU—THE apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the weekend passed a vote of no confidence on the outgoing Governors of the South Eastern States, Local Government Chairmen and members of the National Assembly from the zone for failing to develop Igbo land with the resources available to them in the last eight years.
 It also accused elected representatives of the zone of being tele-guided from Abuja to do things that were detrimental to the welfare of Igbos in the country, insisting that Ndigbo would no longer support the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in coming elections.
 The umbrella body for Ndigbo re-affirmed its support for the Abia State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) whom it had endorsed as the consensus presidential candidate for Ndigbo, saying he had the capacity to address the socio-economic and political problems of the Igbo.
 These were made known by the Dr. Dozie Ikedife-led Executive of Ohanaeze at a meeting in Enugu , where the leadership reviewed the four key issues which it said must be pursued to their logical conclusion if the Igbo ethnic nationality was to continue to be relevant in the scheme of things in the country.
 These include “the total rejection of the PDP at all levels of governance, in the 2007 elections; the election of credible leaders as governors, senators, honourable members and local government chairmen, irrespective of whatever political platform they contest the elections (as long as it is not the PDP) to undertake the positive development of Igboland post May 29, 2007; the mobilization of Igbo votes throughout the six geo-political zones of Nigeria for a single presidential candidate of Igbo extraction in the 2007 elections; and the use of a demonstrated political strength of the Igbos in the 2007 elections to negotiate the birth and practice of a true federal polity in Nigeria.”
 Scoring the outgoing elected representatives of the zone low, the organization said that both the governors, council chairmen and members of the National Assembly from the south east zone failed to use their position to facilitate the physical development of Igboland, stressing that since majority of them came from the PDP, it would no longer be wise to support the party in the coming elections.
 In an address delivered by the President General, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, the Ohanaeze said:
  “An objective appraisal of what transpired over the last eight years in the political scene reveals the sordid state of affairs in matters of governance and representation in Igboland.  Since we allowed outsiders who do not even wish us well to determine our leaders, it is not surprising that rather than establish industries and farm settlements, for instance, to meaningfully engage our teeming population of unemployed hands, most of our governors and local government chairmen preferred to waste the little resources extended to us on frivolities and the purchase of properties in foreign lands in the service of their selfish interests. Are we therefore surprised that rather than stay back and develop Igboland, our people now make Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Togo, South Africa, Ghana, the United States and Europe their homes where they suffer all manner of indignities?"

 

OHANEZE RATIFIES KALU’S ADOPTION

The Ime-Obi of Ohaneze Ndigbo has ratified the recent adoption of the Presidential Candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu as the consensus candidate of Igbos for the 2007 general elections.
Ohaneze Ndigbo therefore urged all political parties that have Igbo sons and daughters as their presidential candidates to take immediate steps to prevail on such candidates to drop their ambitions and align with the Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. This was the high point of a communiqué read by Professor Ben Obumselu at the end of the Ime Obi meeting of the apex Igbo Organisation held on Saturday at the Ofu Obi African Cultural Centre, Enugu.Other resolutions contained in the communiqué included a call on Igbos wherever they are to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general elections.
The call was hinged on the fact that the PDP has not fulfilled any of the promises it made to Ndigbo in the past eight years and as such, their was no point going ahead to vote for them again.The Communiqué listed a litany of projects promised Ndigbo by the PDP administration, none of which have been actualized. Some of the projects are the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the dredging of the River Niger, the citing of a container terminal at Onitsha, the citing of a dry port at Aba, the building of power stations in the South-East the dualisation of major inter-state roads in the South-East and citing of Federal Government projects in the region.
Earlier in his speech while declaring the meeting open, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Dozie Ikedife disclosed that the Ime Obi was called to deliberate on crucial issues affecting Ndigbo demanding urgent attention.
Chief Ikedife condemned in strong terms the recent instances of kidnappings in Igboland, a trend he described as alarming, unacceptable and alien to Igbo norms and traditions.He also commended the judiciary for the series of landmark judgments they have delivered in recent times which has strengthened the faith of the people in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.Notable Igbo sons that attended the meeting include: Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief of Staff to the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Chuks Iloegbunam representing Governor Peter Obi, Senator Chris Adighije, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi and Chief Christian C. Onoh.
Others are Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Engr. Chris Okoye, Professor Ben Obumselu, Dr. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, Chief Mrs. Catherine Owanta, Eze Desmond Ogugua, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, Eze Isaac Ikonne amongst others.
Iyke Ekeoma
Special Adviser to the Gopvernor Media Affairs

VIEWS EXCHANGE

The indictments of OBJ etc with strong reference to 1958 Eastern Nigeria constitution indicates that any Nigerian can constitute a panel to indict persons critical of their policies. Why can't the courts
intervene to prevent lawlessness and anarchy towards
April 2007 election. ...Obiefule Uwadineke


Kalu threatens to declare Ribadu's assets (Guardiannewsonline 2/22/07)
Peeved by his indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is currently putting his presidential ambition in jeopardy, the Abia State governor and presidential candidate of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Orji Uzor Kalu has challenged the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu to publish his (Kalu) assets declaration forms and that of President Obasanjo for public scrutiny. He also threatened to declare Ribadu's assets at the appropriate time. Kalu asked the anti-graft agency's chief to desist from what he called "his wicked designs to destroy his businesses that he founded ever before he (Ribadu) became a commissioned officer in the police force, stressing that "everything I have made in life can be accounted for." Kalu, in a statement said that he is ready to waive his immunity to appear before any court of competent jurisdiction to defend himself of the allegations levelled against him by the EFCC as he charged Ribadu and his men to have the courage to do so or remain silent.

Ken dear,
I know the story too well!  And don't forget Dele Giwa.  Such is the sobering part of Nigeria.  
And we can't rule out the possibility that OUK might still pay some price for all these.  But 
you must agree he has courage....... or he and Baba have an understanding not yet understood or 
explained to anyone.

Ken Okorie
[Every business decision has legal implications]

On Feb 22, 2007, at 1:56 AM, Ken Ekezie wrote:

Ken Agum

I have been a journalist and almost went to jail on Decree 4 in 1984/85, so I know the dangers of "freedom of speech". Freedom of speech in Nigeria is modulated by whose freedom is not being violated. From the distant safety of America, you can write all you want about the government. Try doing it here without watching your diction and see if you survive the next day. The death of Godwin Agbroko is still fresh in the mind.

If what you say serves the people in power, they will leave it. If it is a minor irritant, they will caution you. Try upsetting the table by revealing the major follies of their misrule and you get the SSS or EFCC calling on you.

No, freedom of speech is limited but not like what you have in the US.

Ken

I am for Kalu..Anokute

UMUIGBO:

I am for Kalu , not because he's the best there is .
Far from it, I must confess, I am for OUK, because
he's an Igbo man. I am driven by my own brand of Igbo
patriotism , and I believe OUK , for having the
courage , the will , the consistency to challenge ,
the powers that be in Abuja , has earned , in my
estimation , a profile in courage Award .

In fact, I would rather vote for Prof. Bart Nnaji or
Dr Philip Emeagwali, or Dr George Obiozo , than vote
for OUK . I would rather see Chinua Achebe , as a
Presidential candidate , than OUK . But we don't have
these people out there. And I doubt if any of them
wants to be President. But if you love Ndigbo , and
you truly believe that we deserve the Presidency , at
least show your support for an Igbo candidate . That's
the way it can come about. If you cannot vote for OUK
, that's OK. You have an alternative in Prof. Pat
Utomi.
Tearing OUK down is the wrong approach for Ndigbo.

I have heard the criticisms, that OUK is corrupt,
he's an evil man , he's this and that . But none has
doubted his ability to be President. Nobody is a
saint in that Country. We're all corrupt . I remember
in 1999 , how the Yorubas denigrated Obasanjo as the
most evil among them , to be President . They
complained about their own Kinsman, a native son of
Egbaland. Some even swear, if OBJ becomes President
, they will take to exile. Take a look at the Yorubas
today. Their complaints have minimized. They 've
gotten a sense of National belonging . OBJ has placed
them in permanent position, to play a significant
role in future Nigerian Politics. They're virtually
content.

Ndigbo must not let a minor internal division or
disagreement or self - hate, to cloud the bigger
picture. We're in a precarious situation right now.
If we do not acknowledge that, then, we're all
fools.

Anokute,
New York City.

How bad do we want the Presidency ?

Our only solution left , is to use our right to vote ,
and use it well . Imagine this , if Ndigbo votes
enmass to one or the two contending Igbo Presidential
candidates , Pat Utomi and Orji Uzo Kalu , the
presidency is ours . Most westerners I know will
consider an Igbo for President , before an Hausa man
. The Northerners have never been more divided in
their house than now . We should take advantage of
this political loop holes .

Finally , it all comes back to this : How bad do we
want the Presidency ?

Anokute ,
NYC.

OBASANJO LEAVE  NIGERIANS ALONE

Kindly, tell Obasanjo, PDP, and EFCC, to leave Nigerians alone. Obasanjo wants to destroy Nigeria because he was not given a chance to go for a third term. Efcc is the most corrupt organization in the world since its operators are the Nigerian policemen. AL-QAEDA now has a base in Nigeria via OBASANJO/YAR ADUA/PDP. Why should somebody who declared an Islamic state in Katsina state aspire to be president of Nigeria?
     Obasanjo should go and bury his head in shame. We thought he learnt his lessons when he came out of jail in 1998 and was received in N.Y by Nigerians. Max Gbanite said it right at the party that Obasanjo will not make a good president, and it has come to pass.    Army is around the corner if care is not taken.

AONUKWUGHA

 

Governor Orji Uzor Kalu
Nigerian Presidential Candidate PPA

OUR NATION IS IN DIRE STRAIT

I have followed diligently the events of the past two months, particularly the reckless utterances of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and his veiled effort to smear my integrity and scuttle my ambition to contest for the office of President in 2007.

Having critically and carefully studied these recent unfortunate developments and the far-reaching impact on our nation’s political life, I have decided to make the following submissions with the highest sense of responsibility in the interest of peace and continued survival of our nascent democracy and to defend my hard-earned integrity, which the hawks in our nation have toiled in vein to smear.

I am disappointed and saddened by the unbridled way Nuhu Ribadu has discharged his assignment as the chairman of EFCC. He has shown crass disdain and disrespect for the rule of law and constitutionality. In many circumstances he has arrogantly disobeyed court orders and carried himself as if he were God. I wonder why he should sacrifice his character and training as a lawyer to pander to whims and caprices of one man.

I have carried out my responsibilities as the Governor of Abia State with utmost diligence, fear of God, transparency and good conscience. I have never done anything whatsoever to deserve the smear campaign against me by the EFCC and the presidency.
I challenge Nuhu Ribadu to publish for public consumption any evidence at the disposal of his commission showing any act of mismanagement of public funds involving me in the administration of Abia State Government funds. I also challenge him to show me a single project that President Olusegun Obasanjo started and completed since he came into office on May 29, 1999.

 I state without fear of contradiction that President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration is an unmitigated disaster, and has unleashed terror and mayhem on the people of Nigeria instead of peace, progress and stability. This situation calls to question the integrity of his administration.

Nigerians are worse off today than they were when President Obasanjo assumed office seven and half years ago. What the nation has witnessed today is a harvest of deaths caused by hunger, poverty, and politically-motivated killings. What happened at Odi and Zakibiam, despoliation of the Niger Delta, and death of Chief A.K Dikibo, Chief Bola Ige and Chief Harry Marshal, amongst others are visible cases of arrogance, insensibility and abuse of office by persons charged with the responsibility of protecting life and property.

I wish to ask: “What has happened to billions of naira budgeted by the Obasanjo administration for electricity, roads, food production, and security since 1999?”. If these billions of naira had been judiciously used there would not have been the increasing incidents of robbery, poverty, road accidents and assassination across the country.

President Obasanjo has shown disdain for Nigerians more than any past Nigerian leader. His recent outbursts that the 2007 elections would be a do-or-die affair and that he would set the EFCC after Olusegun Mimiko (Labour Party governorship candidate for Ondo State) were not only uncharitable but a demonstration of desperation.

Sadly, the Federal Government under President Obasanjo has thrived on falsehood over the years and is ready to deal with anybody who would dare expose its ineptitude and tissues of lies. Let me ask: Who owns Bells University. We are told that President Obasanjo had only N20,000 in his account in 1999. Where did he get the money to build this gigantic university and many other juicy edifices linked to him? The present harassment of perceived political opponents like me is a calculated design to emasculate and silence all of us. But God forbid!

I take absolute responsibility for all actions that the Abia State government has taken since we assumed office on May 29, 1999 till date, and reaffirm my innocence over every allegation levelled against me by the EFCC and any other such body, for that matter.

I use this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to my desire to contest for the office of President of Nigeria this year. I am not distracted in any way by all that had happened because I know that nothing good comes easy. My support base traverses every nook and cranny of this country. At present my presidential project enjoys massive following from Northern and Eastern Christian Coalitions, Sheiks, Ulamas, Ohaneze Ndigbo, World Igbo Congress, Traders Associations and all Nigerians who crave for peaceful change.

Since I declared my assets in 1999 and 2003 respectively and Nuhu Ribadu has access to them, I hereby challenge him to publish his and President Obasanjo’s assets declaration forms for the public to judge who is corrupt. In fact, I know everything about Nuhu Ribadu’s assets. I will tell him what he has at the appropriate time. We have seen his ilk before and he will go their way too.

Any attempt to stop me from contesting the 2007 presidential election will fail as we are ready to defend our right. Such an attempt will amount to an affront on the collective psyche of Ndigbo. Nothing can stop me from contesting the election as I represent the single largest ethnic group in Nigeria. It is regrettable that each time an Igbo man wants to be president some persons will attempt to scuttle it. But they will fail this time round.
I warn Ribadu to desist from his wicked designs to destroy my businesses which I founded ever before he became a commissioned officer. Everything I have made in life can be accounted for.
I have served this great nation in different capacities and have never been found wanting. I was the Chairman, Borno Water Board at 25, the youngest Bank Chairman (of Corporative and Commerce Bank, CCB) at 27, Chairman, Imo Marketing Company at 29, Member of the National Sports Commission, Member of the House of Representatives, and now a two-term Governor. In all of these positions I have served transparently and accountably.

I am ready to waive my immunity to appear before any court of competent jurisdiction to defend myself of all the allegations levelled against me by the EFCC.
I challenge Nuhu Ribadu and his cohorts to have the courage to do so or forever remain silent.    
I apologize to Nigerians for Obasanjo’s misdeeds and offer to remedy the situation if voted into office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May 2007.
My tenure as President will mark a new era for Nigerians. Visit our website www.orjikalu.com and see our plans for Nigeria.

ORJI UZOR KALU
GOVERNOR

 

Orji Kalu addresing WIC in Elizabeth

Gov. Orji Kalu, eastern Nigerian arrowhead in Nigeria Presidential race