Former Governor of Abia State and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed that he gave former President Olusegun Obasanjo $1 million in 1998 and personally financed the running of Abia State during his tenure as governor.
Speaking during a television interview on Monday, Kalu claimed he also contributed over N500 million to the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but was left unrewarded by the political system he helped build.
“I gave President Olusegun Obasanjo over $1 million in 1998 when the dollar was just $84 to the naira. I also gave the PDP over N500 million to start the party.
“They were all looking for money then. The only few people with money at that time were TY Danjuma and Atiku Abubakar. The rest had nothing,” Kalu said.
The Senator representing Abia North lamented that despite his financial sacrifices, he was sidelined politically and suffered significant losses under Obasanjo’s administration, including the seizure of his businesses by the Federal Government.
“I spent my own money running Abia State as governor, just like I’m spending my money now as a senator. I never benefited from being governor. Instead, I lost a lot.
“The Obasanjo administration took over many of my businesses. Politics under Obasanjo was more dangerous than anything else,” he added.
Calling for unity among Nigeria’s political class, Kalu urged an end to public insults and political mudslinging, advocating instead for collective focus on the country’s development.
“All this abusing Tinubu, abusing Orji Kalu, abusing Atiku Abubakar, abusing Amaechi should stop. We should sit down as a family, talk about the needs of the Nigerian people, and deliver results,” he said.
Kalu stressed that his greatest concern remains the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, stating: “I’m more anxious to see Nigerians eating three meals a day, going on good roads, working in decent factories, and earning decent income. That is the Nigeria I want to see.”
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