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The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has clarified that his support for President Bola Tinubu is not intended to gain any advantage concerning corruption charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former Abia State governor addressed the issue in a social media post on Monday, responding to allegations from Dr. Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson and Arise TV anchor.
During a television program, Abati stated, “Many Nigerians say you (Kalu) are supporting President Tinubu because it was under his tenure that your case was dismissed due to lack of diligent prosecution, incompetent filing of processes and EFCC was even prohibited from ever bringing up the case again.”
In his response, Kalu, who currently represents Abia North Senatorial District, dismissed Abati’s claim, calling it an insult to both himself and President Tinubu.
The former Abia State governor said Bola Tinubu was not President when the cases brought against him were adjudicated in court.
Orji Uzor Kalu said: “Dr. Abati, you know and I respect you a lot, and I have known you for a very long time, and you know I have a very strong character.
“I had a case with the EFCC and because I appeared in all court proceedings for 12 years, I never ran away and I never missed any court sitting. I am not the kind of person that will dodge court sittings.
“I want to remind you and I don’t want to talk about the judiciary because it will be like discussing a case that has passed through the court.
All the matters raised in the court were not adjudicated under President Tinubu. I was in court, and there were 19 witnesses, and none of them were found against me.
“The reason I was sentenced to jail can only be answered by God, and I am very grateful to God that I went to jail.
“It made me see both the bad, the good, and the ugly, and I am very happy. Mind you, that year I was supposed to have traveled to Wuhan on the 19th of December, and the COVID-19 virus started in Wuhan. Maybe you could have been singing my funeral song by now.
Let me tell you, I am not even afraid of death. You should know me, Reuben. I am not afraid of anybody, and I speak the truth. I support the party and the president, who is also a member of my party.
“Reuben, I can’t support you because you’re not a presidential candidate, and you’re not ruling Nigeria. Even in the Bible, God said we should pray and support our leaders, and that is exactly what I am doing.
“So if you want to be a journalist, remain as one, and if you want to be a politician, leave journalism and come and join people like us.”
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