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  • 10th House: You’re both Speaker, Deputy in waiting, Shettima tells Abbas, Kalu

    10th House: You’re both Speaker, Deputy in waiting, Shettima tells Abbas, Kalu

    The Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima has referred to the duo of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, (APC, Kaduna) and Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) as Speaker and Deputy Speaker in waiting.

    Recall that the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC, on Monday endorsed their candidature as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

    The VP-elect made the reference on Friday evening when the duo accompanied by 178 other members-elect visited him at his campaign office at the high brow area of Asokoro in Abuja.

    He expressed delight at the crowd behind the party’s choices saying that he was more than happy, but overwhelmed.

    Responding to speeches made by the duo earlier, the VP-elect said: “Thank you so much Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, by God’s grace our Speaker in waiting. And my very good friend, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, our Deputy Speaker in waiting. To say that I was pleased meeting this collective is an understatement, I was overwhelmed.”

    “This collective has come to prove to Nigerians that what binds us together is greater and supersedes whatever divides us. Rt. Hon. Members, the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria to make or mar that transition. 220 million black people, one out of every four black is a Nigerian. Average age in Africa today is 19. The Asian economy, the Asian Tigers are maturing. China today is aging. Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea are all aging. So the future of the world rests on this continent.

    “I’m quite glad because this is a gathering of ladies and gentlemen of different political colouration. We are bound together by our collective desire to reposition our nation. I urge you to maintain this momentum, to sustain this brotherhood and sisterhood, so that collectively we can catapult our country to a higher pedestal. The country is in dire state,” he said.

    Senator Shettima therefore assured the party’s anointed aspirants of his determination to speak to other contestants sonaa to get their support and forge a united front going into the new administration.

    “Be rest assured that we are not only on board this project, I will take it upon myself to reach out to other contenders. Politics as said is all local. Rt Hon. Muktari Betara Aliyu is my brother. We are from the same subregion, we are from the same state. And I have the best of relationship with him. I met him two nights ago, and I will sustain that discussion, so that at the end of the day there will be no winner, no vanquished.

    “Around 1 pm today, I met with Rt. Hon Esse, the deputy Speaker. He is someone who’s very close to me. We will continue the engagement so that we can have a rancour free 10th Assembly,” the VP-elect assured.

    Speaking earlier, the APC anointed Speakership hopeful, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas told the VP-elect that he will in conjunction with his deputy run an inclusive House which will not disappoint the administration, the party, as well as the country as a whole.

    He expressed delight at the prosect of having both the President and his Vice as alumni if the National Assembly, noting that such has never happened before.

    “We are here to say we are very grateful to you, to Mr President-elect, and to the party for finding us worthy of this mantle of leadership. I want to assure you that we will not disappoint you, the party and Nigerians. Your Excellency, I want to congratulate us after June 13th if God makes it possible that we will be in the reign of leadership, that we will be extremely lucky, because there’s never being a time in the history of this country where the number one and number two citizens being products of the National Assembly.

    “Mr President-elect was a senator, he understands the system very well. You are just an outgoing senator who also understand the system very well. So we believe synergy and working in a mutually beneficial manner will be very easy for us.

    Hon. Benjamin Kalu who’s the only surviving APC member from his State in his speech thanked the party and the leadership for considering inclusion and national cohesion in chosing him for the presiding officer s position despite the poor electoral outing the party had in the South East.

    “Before now, no South Easterner was in the presiding officer’s position in the last four years, but this time, irrespective of the number of votes that came out from the South East, the party considered cohesion and gave us this. We are grateful.

    “Here with me today are members of the House from the South East, we are about 43, and irrespective of the political parties differences they are solidly standing by this your decision. And they will show it on the day of election because this a decision that will give every part of the country a sense of belonging,” Kalu added.

    The chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly which has taken over the campaign of the duo, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo earlier introduced them to the VP -elect, saying that the group before the zoning was a neutral one supporting no aspirant nor fighting anyone.

    He however said since the party took its zoning decision, the group based on its resolution decided to collapse its structure for the joint ticket to ensure that the party’s position is respected and delivered.

  • Naira scarcity: My wife in Abuja doesn’t have money to cook – Orji Kalu

    Naira scarcity: My wife in Abuja doesn’t have money to cook – Orji Kalu

    Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has said he and his family are affected by hardship emanating from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN money policy

    Kalu disclosed this in a Channels Television program on Monday.

    The lawmaker, however, said the policy is right but blamed the timing and other shortfalls of the CBN towards the policy.

    He said, “You can see the policy is right but I don’t keep money in my house. I am suffering.”

    “The other day, my house manager told my wife in Abuja that we have no money to cook food. My wife was virtually roaming around and we feed over 250 people every day.

  • I will coach Super Eagles better than Rohr – Orji Kalu

    I will coach Super Eagles better than Rohr – Orji Kalu

    Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, has slammed Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, insisting that the German tactician is not a coach.

    Kalu also said he would handle the Super Eagles better than Rohr.

    He will prefer a local coach for the Super Eagles once he is paid well and allowed to do his job.

    He stated this following the disappointing 1-1 draw Super Eagles played with Blue Sharks of Cape Verde earlier this week in Lagos.

    The outcome of the match ensured that the Super Eagles qualified for the 2022 World Cup play-off after finishing top of the group with 13 points.

    “Gernot Rohr is not a motivator to the players because he has nothing to offer; I can even motivate the players more than him because I am a super motivator of my players,” Kalu told NAN.

    “He is not a coach; I don’t see anything good in him; he has no stamina, no strategy, he doesn’t play any system and his team doesn’t excite me.

    “Where the coach comes from doesn’t matter. We have a lot of Nigerian coaches who, if you pay them what is due to them, will do the job well.

    “We have a lot of coaches both locally and internationally, and I am sure NFF President Amaju Pinnick knows these people.

    “If he is in doubt, he should consult me and I will tell him some names of coaches he can approach, whether local or international.

    “If you ask me, I would prefer a Nigerian to coach the Super Eagles, but he should be paid well and given a schedule of international standard to operate.”

  • Thuggery portends danger to nation’s democracy — Kalu

    Thuggery portends danger to nation’s democracy — Kalu

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has said that the use of thugs during elections portends great danger to the nation’s democracy.
    Kalu said this on Friday, while inspecting the ongoing construction of the two-kilometer Akama and Ugwuavor Roads in Arochukwu.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road was one of the 19 constituency road projects the lawmaker attracted to Abia North Senatorial District.
    He spoke against the backdrop of last Saturday’s Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency bye-election, which was reportedly marred by thuggery and violence.
    He called on Nigerians of good conscience and believers in democracy to condemn thuggery in it’s entirety in the nation’s political system.
    “What happened in Aba was a shame to our democracy because thuggery is not part of democracy.
    “It should not be tolerated. It should be condemned by every well-meaning Nigerian. It is not the right thing to do in a democracy.
    “Even security operatives were overwhelmed by what happened,” he said.
    He said that he never resorted to thuggery during his administrion as governor of the state.
    Kalu, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the party allowed it and conceded defeat “because we value human life.”
    He, however, said that the party had learnt its lesson from the experience and would not allow it to happen again.
    The former governor (1999 – 2007) also decried the post-election protest by a cross-section of Ukwa/Ngwa nationality of Abia against his political influence in the area.
    Reacting to the protest, Kalu said: “They should rather protest against bad roads, government’s inability to pay workers’ salaries and pension.
    “When I was governor, I never owed salaries and pension.
    “People should demonstrate against government’s failure to provide the dividend of democracy for the citizenry.”
    He recalled that as governor, he provided free education and healthcare for the people.
    He contended that roads built in Aba by his administration had dilapidated due to the lack of maintenance.
    “I challenge the state government and political office holders in the state to show proof of what they have done for their people.
    Sen. Chris Adighije, who was part of the project tour, paid glowing tribute to Kalu for the “numerous” constituency projects he had attracted to his people in barely two years in office.
    Adighije said: “It is unusaual and unprecedented for a senator to build roads. I wish that the people will not take this for granted.
    “I was once in the National Assembly and never in the history of Nigeria had any senator been able to attract this level of infrastructure to his constituency.
    Prominent indigenes of the area, including Dr Mike Ukoha, representing Arochukwu State Constituency, the Group Managing Director of AITEO, Mr Ike Okoronkwo, and renowned politician, Mr Nnanna Ugwu, thanked Kalu and APC-led Federal Government for the road projects.
    Kalu was received by visibly excited and appreciative natives, especially youths, who accompanied him round the tour, dancing and making merry.
    NAN reports that Kalu also inspected work on the ongoing construction of the two-kilometer Itumbuzo-Bende Road

  • Why my conspirators sent me to prison – Orji Kalu

    Why my conspirators sent me to prison – Orji Kalu

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, says he is grateful to God for allowing him to go to prison and come back.

    Kalu stated this in a statement released in Umuahia on Tuesday, adding that going to prison was a good experience for him.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Kalu was sentenced to Kuje Correctional Centre for 12 years on December 5, 2019 for allegedly misappropriating about N7.1 billion, while serving as Abia governor between 1999 and 2007.

    However, the Supreme Court on May 8, 2020 upturned his trial and conviction by Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The apex court had said that Idris lacked the jurisdiction to try the matter, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    According to the statement by his Media Aide, Peter Eze, some prominent Abia politicians, who were vexed by Kalu’s scathing criticism against the state government, accused him of still suffering from his prison experience.

    But speaking at a campaign rally for Chief Mascot Kalu, his younger brother and the All Progressives Congress candidate for the March 27 Aba North/South Federal Constituency poll, Kalu reportedly thanked God for his prison experience.

    The statement quoted Kalu to have said that his detractors were “little-minded to think he is ashamed of his prison experience.

    “My conspirators thought I would be president in 2023, so they decided to cut my journey short at all cost.

    “But you see, these people are not God. They think I am ashamed to have gone to prison.

    “I am not and I don’t blame them because they don’t know my relationship with God.

    “Joseph went to prison, even former President Olusegun Obasanjo went to prison.

    “My going to prison is part of my life script and I am thankful God allowed it.

    “They are little minds and wicked people, who have refused to do any project for their own people .

    Kalu recently criticised the state government for failing to address the huge infrastructure deficit in Abia.

    He said the ongoing road repairs in Aba were funded by the Niger Delta Development Commission and Federal Government and not Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration.

    He further criticised the administration for failing to regularly pay workers’ salaries as and when due.

    However, the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi, said the state government secured N27.4 billion World Bank facility to fund road projects in Aba.

    Okiyi refuted the allegation that the projects were being executed by the federal government, saying that federal government does not build internal roads in states.

  • 2023: Kalu, Ekweremadu, other southeast leaders unite, task political parties on Igbo presidency

    2023: Kalu, Ekweremadu, other southeast leaders unite, task political parties on Igbo presidency

    The agitation for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction got a boost on Tuesday as different leaders of the southeast zone across political divides tasks all parties to choose their presidential candidates for the zone.

    In a communiqué signed by Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Ike Ekweremadu, Anyim Pius Anyim, and others at the end of a bipartisan meeting at Igbere, Bende Council, Abia State; the South East leaders noted that the presidency has rotated between Northern and Southern Nigeria and among various geopolitical zones with only the South East left out.

    Other Igbo leaders who attended the meeting include, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Chief Chekwas Okorie; Chief Chuka Odum; Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha ; Sen. Michael Nnachi; Hon. Toby Okechukwu.; Hon. Amechi O. Danis; Sen. Obinna Ogba; Rep. Makwe Livinus M; Dr. Oliver Osi;; Hon Ali Okechukwu; Hon Stanley Ohajuruka.

    The communiqué further stated that the South East as a major geopolitical zone in Nigeria and Ndigbo, being one of the three predominant tribes in the country, must take its rightful position in national polity.

    “The Presidency has rotated between Northern and Southern Nigeria and among the various geopolitical zones. Thus, the South West and South-South geopolitical zones in the southern part of the country have produced the President of Nigeria in the persons of His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Hence as power is expected to rotate to the South in 2023, the leaders noted that the South East is the only zone in the South that is yet to produce a President of Nigeria in the current democratic dispensation. “With the support of other geopolitical zones and ethnic groups, the position of Nigerian President in the 2023 general elections in all political parties should be zoned to the South East for the sake of justice, fairness, and equity. The southeast zone is united and indivisible in advancing the cause of the region and Ndigbo,” the communiqué read in part.

    READ THE COMMUNIQUE IN FULL:

    COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A CROSS-PARTY MEETING OF SOUTH EAST POLITICAL LEADERS AT IGBERE, ABIA STATE, ON JANUARY 5, 2021.

    Preamble

    Political leaders of the South East across all political persuasions met at Igbere, Abia State, on January 5, 2021 to discuss the political future of the geopolitical zone vis-à-vis the 2023 general election.

    Observations

    The meeting recalled that Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides fought hard, long, and collectively to enthrone the current democratic dispensation as the surest way to engender national development and guarantee a just and equitable society where every section of the country enjoys a sense of belonging.

    The meeting observed that the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has rotated between Northern and Southern Nigeria and among the various geopolitical zones. Thus, the South West and South South geopolitical zones in the southern part of the country have produced the President of Nigeria . Hence as power is expected to rotate to the South in 2023, the meeting noted that the South East is the only zone in the South that is yet to produce a President of Nigeria in the current democratic dispensation.

    The meeting further observed that the people of the South East have continued to demonstrate their commitment to the unity and development of the country. Not only has the geopolitical zone actively supported the emergence of Nigerian President of other geopolitical extractions, the people are also known to be major agents of development and heavy investors outside their zone and often the next in population after the indigenes in any state of Nigeria. Our well-pronounced presence and investments in every nook and cranny of the country represent the firmest and most practical demonstration of faith in the unity, peace, and continued corporate existence of the country, for where a man’s treasure is, there his heart lies also.

    Resolutions/Demands

    In view of the above and after exhaustive and incisive deliberations, South East political leaders resolved to:

    1. Recommit ourselves to the deepening of the nation’s democracy as the surest way of fast-tracking national development and building an egalitarian society where no man is oppressed for reasons of his class, ethnic, religious or political affiliation and background.

    2. Implore Nigerians across political, ethnic, religious, and geopolitical divides and persuasions to support the people of the South East geopolitical zone to produce a Nigerian President of South East extraction as a mark of good faith and to promote justice and national harmony. For emphasis, we deem this very important in giving every part of the country a sense of belonging and in promoting national unity and solidarity. It is the loudest reassurance of equality of all parts and that the country indeed belongs to all members of the Nigerian commonwealth

    3. Consequently implore all the political parties to cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 general election to the South East in the interest of justice, equity and national unity. To make good our demand and reciprocate such good faith, we have decided, as a geopolitical zone with substantial presence in every part of the country to give a block vote and throw our full weight behind any major political party, particularly the APC and PDP, that zones its presidential ticket to the South East in 2023 general election. We resolved to work for such a party irrespective of our different individual political parties.

    4. To emphasis that what we seek is a Nigerian President of South East extraction, one that will work to further unite and develop every part of the country. Such a President will be President of all Nigerians irrespective of their political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, ensuring that all citizens and every part of the country is given a sense of belonging and treated with utmost sense of justice. Such was the dream of the founding fathers of this great nation wherefore they declared that though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. For the same reason, they also committed to building a just nation where no man is oppressed so that Nigeria may be blessed with peace, plenty, and prosperity.

    5. Wish Nigerians a happy and prosperous New Year.

    Signed: Sen Orji Uzor Kalu
    Sen Ike Ekweremadu
    Hon. Benjamin Kalu
    Chief Chekwas Okorie
    Chief Chuka Odum
    Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha
    Sen. Michael Nnachi
    Hon. Toby Okechukwu.
    Hon. Amechi O. Danis
    Sen. Obinna Ogba
    Rep. Makwe Livinus M
    Dr. Oliver Osi
    Hon Ali Okechukwu
    Hon Stanley Ohajuruka

  • Southern president?: No zoning in APC’s constitution, any party member can contest in 2023 – Kalu

    Southern president?: No zoning in APC’s constitution, any party member can contest in 2023 – Kalu

    The Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress has not zoned the position of president in 2023 and that any Nigerian can run for the office.

    He said that “any person in the party can contest for the position of the President”.

    Mr Kalu made the remark on Monday in Minna during a visit to two former leaders of the country, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, both retired generals.

    Mr Kalu, who was recently released from jail, said he would serve as Nigeria’s president if given the opportunity by the electorate.

    “I am still in the Senate, and I will seek for re-election into the Senate but if our people want me to serve as President I will not hesitate,” he said.

    “Zoning is not a constitutional matter in APC, any person can contest any post in APC,” the official also said on Monday.

    On the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, he alleged that there was sabotage in the country’s security system.

    “It seems that there are a lot of sabotage in our security system,” he said.

    The ex-governor expressed optimism that the National Assembly would continue to collaborate with the executive in tackling the security challenges in the country.

    “We will address the issue of sabotage in the Nigeria security system,” he said.

  • Contract list indicting Ibori, Kalu, Uduaghan, others not compiled by Akpabio – NDDC

    Contract list indicting Ibori, Kalu, Uduaghan, others not compiled by Akpabio – NDDC

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday said the controversial list of former governors and lawmakers submitted by the Minister of Niger Delta Senator Godswill Akpabio to the House of Representatives last week as beneficiaries of the commission’s contract largess was not compiled by the minister but a past management of the commission.

    The commission however enjoined those whose names appeared on the list before the House not to panic because it had found that their some people used their names to get the jobs.

    Prominent among those whose names are in the list compiled in 2018 are former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), James Ibori (Delta}, Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi. But they have all denied ever enjoying such favours from the commission.

    The NDDC which in a statement on Tuesday, said the 2018 list was part of the avalanche of documents submitted to its forensic auditors, added that there were other sets of lists of emergency project contracts awarded in 2017 and 2019 not submitted to the National Assembly.

    It explained that the 2018 list was released to the House to expose committee chairmen in the National Assembly who used fronts to collect contracts from the commission, some of which were never executed.

    “The IMC of the commission stands by the list, which came from files already in the possession of the forensic auditors. It is not an Akpabio list but the NDDC’s list. The list is part of the volume of 8,000 documents already handed over to the forensic auditors,” the NDDC said in the statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili.

    Odili added that the list did not include a case of 250 contracts, which were signed for and collected in one day by one person for members of the National Assembly.

    According to him, the ongoing forensic audit would unearth persons behind the contracts.

    He said that the commission had positioned 185 media support specialists to identify the site of every project captured in its books for verification by the forensic auditors.

    Odili advised members of the public to discountenance the “avalanche of falsehood being orchestrated by mischief makers,” regretting that “more insinuations and accusations may be thrown into the public space by those opposed to the IMC.”

  • Kalu replies Akpabio: ‘Issues at stake has nothing to do with NDDC projects carried out, but missing funds’

    Kalu replies Akpabio: ‘Issues at stake has nothing to do with NDDC projects carried out, but missing funds’

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has insisted that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not paid any money to the contractors who built the roads he facilitated.

    Kalu was reacting to a letter written by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, where he reportedly mentioned ex-Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan, James Ibori, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, as those who benefited from the NDDC contracts.

    In a statement signed by Barrister Emeka Nwala, Kalu made it clear that the issues at stake in the NDDC has nothing to do with projects carried out, but missing funds.

    According to him, the road projects Akpabio listed were the interventions he facilitated for the communities as a private citizen even before he became a lawmaker.

    Kalu claimed his name was included, because he used his letter headed paper to write to the NDDC in 2016, pleading with the agency to repair roads in Abia.

    “Between 2016 and 2018, during my tour to several communities, leaders and welfare unions pleaded for urgent intervention on some dilapidated roads. I wrote to the NDDC informing the body of the conditions of these roads and the need for their attention since Abia is an NDDC state.

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    “The NDDC in their consideration which I am very grateful to, awarded the roads to companies that duly tendered for the projects and not myself. Whatever link I have with the projects is because it was considered due to my intervention,” part of the statement read.

    Kalu added that, “The contractors have completed and delivered these roads a long time ago, except Abam-Atani road which I learnt from the contractors was slowed down due to rain, but still ongoing.”

  • NDDC probe: Akpabio names Ibori, Uduaghan, Ararume, kalu as contractors

    NDDC probe: Akpabio names Ibori, Uduaghan, Ararume, kalu as contractors

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has linked two former governors of Delta State, Messrs James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan, to the various contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

    Others on the lists submitted to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on July 23 by Akpabio are the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, among others.

    The letter, which was also copied to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, was addressed to the Clerk to the House, Mr Patrick Giwa, with Reference Number MNDA/HM/04/IV/158.

    It was titled, ‘Some Niger Delta Development Commission Contracts Allegedly Given to Some Members of the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).’

    The emergency repairs projects linked to them, according to the document published in some media outlets, were awarded in 2018 at a cost that ranges from N400m and N560m each.

    One of the projects linked to Ibori, was the emergency repairs of Onoghove community road from Ajanesan to Western Delta University at a cost of N485.7m.

    Uduaghan was linked to the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & Environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt at a cost of N429m.

    Five projects were linked to Kalu, who was simply identified in the document as OUK-Kalu (the project source).

    The emergency repairs on roads projects linked to Kalu are in Abia State and the costs ranged from N517m to N560m.

    The details are Emergency repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road (N517.9m) and repairs of Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze (N560m).