‘Not Up to 20 Senators Out of 109 Have Outperformed me’ – Orji Kalu

The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that not up to 20 of the 109 senators in the National Assembly have done better than him, insisting that Abians will be short-changing themselves if he is not returned to the Red Chamber.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday at his Igbere hometown Camp Neya, Kalu said the level of development recorded in Abia North under his representation is unprecedented.

He cited several road projects across Abia North, Isiala Ngwa and Aba, as well as what he described as effective representation, arguing that there is nothing other senators are doing that he cannot also do.

Commenting on the impeachment proceedings initiated against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Kalu said he had not fully followed the development, as he had been engaged with party officials.

He expressed scepticism about the success of the process if the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party does not support it, adding that he would reach out to the party’s national leadership to understand the situation.

Reacting to criticisms from the Abia State Government over his comments on regaining control of the party, Kalu said he considers Governor Alex Otti a friend and has never criticised him in the last two years. He noted that statements issued by a governor’s Chief Press Secretary reflect the governor’s position, stressing that while he worked for Otti’s victory in the 2023 elections, he would now focus on working for his party. He questioned why he should be attacked for saying so.

On the performance of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Kalu said the administration is largely rehabilitating and repainting roads built during his tenure as governor, insisting that he has not seen any new roads constructed. He specifically mentioned the Uzuakoli Road, which he said was completed during his time in office. Kalu also compared federal allocations, stating that what the state now receives in four months is equivalent to what he received over eight years as governor. He recalled that education was 100 per cent free during his administration and dismissed what he described as excessive publicity around governance, adding that he votes according to his conscience.

Responding to comments attributed to Governor Otti urging people to write their wills, Kalu said history would determine who ultimately fails. He emphasised that he does not rig elections or support electoral malpractice, noting that he has never been taken to court over election rigging.

Kalu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is prepared for future elections and expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win Abia State. He pledged to work for the party and confirmed that he would support his brother’s political ambition, describing him as a committed party member.

Addressing his earlier opposition to Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries, Kalu said circumstances have changed and pledged his full support for the president, adding that politics is dynamic.

He also declared his support for the creation of an additional state in the South East, saying the region deserves it. However, when asked whether Igbo leaders have handled the case of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu well, Kalu declined to comment.

Kalu told Abians that his return would bring renewed optimism, saying his presence in national politics would ensure that ordinary people, including market women, “will smile.”

Major highlight was the distribution of bags of rice to different communities in Igbere by the former Abia State Governor.