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Tag: Orji Kalu

  • Tinubu not happy with political numbers in Abia – Orji Kalu

    Tinubu not happy with political numbers in Abia – Orji Kalu

    Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North in National Assembly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu says the South East should not miss the benefits that accrue from belonging to the mainstream political environment.

    Kalu, in a post on his official Facebook account, said that President Bola Tinubu was not happy that he could only get 4% vote in the entire Abia State during the 2023 Presidential election.

    He noted that the President scoring just 4% in the whole of Abia State was a worrisome outcome considering the array of personalities that APC had in Abia State during the polls.

    He appealed to APC members to unite and focus in delivering victory for the APC in Abia come 2027.

    The Abia North Senator said that the stakeholders meeting he convened in his Abuja residence was designed to galvanize the support of Abia APC members for the party and for unity among APC members, saying that Governor Otti did not feature in the discussions.

    Kalu used the statement to clarify that he did not speak against Governor Alex Otti or his performance, maintaining that he does not speak in public about his successors in office, even as he said that only the electorate can decide the fate of the leaders.

    “For example in 2019 when I joined the APC, President Buhari made 68% in our constituency but President Tinubu came back to make only only 4% in the entire Abia in 2023, he was not happy with the political numbers of Abia.

    “He has a friend like me and he has other people that are his friends and we can only make 4%. Even me I can’t even believe it.

    “The South East as a whole has to belong where other Nigerians are sitting”, Kalu said.

  • Orji Kalu laments, says Tinubu has done well in certain areas — but people are hungry

    Orji Kalu laments, says Tinubu has done well in certain areas — but people are hungry

    Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north, has lamented that President Bola Tinubu has done well in certain areas of the economy, but Nigerians are hungry.

    He added that the president needs to do more in other areas because citizens are starving.

    Speaking with Channels Television, Kalu said the country needs fiscal policies that would lead to the production of more food.

    “I’m sure the president has done well in some areas and he also needs to improve in many other areas. I’m a very practical person, I fear nobody and I support the truth,” he said.

    “President Tinubu has done so well in some areas, and in some other areas of feeding our people, people are hungry so I cannot say.

    “He has done well in economic policy, monetary policy. Very good.

    “But in fiscal policies we haven’t grown more food. I want us to grow more food.”

    The former governor said the proposed N62,000 minimum wage would not address the ongoing inflation.

    “I’m a proponent that local governments should be getting their money fully,” he added.

    “I also believe that N62,000 cannot do anything. N90,000… and why I’m proposing N90,000 is very simple. We have not increased the minimum wage in five years.

    “I’m a practical person. The civil servants need good treatment.”

  • Orji Kalu mourns Asagba of Asaba

    Orji Kalu mourns Asagba of Asaba

    A former Abia Governor, Orji Kalu, has expressed sadness over the passing of HRH Joseph Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba, Delta.

    Kalu, the Senate Committee Chairman on Privitisation, in a statement on Thursday, while commiserating with the government and people of Delta over the Asagba’s death, acknowledged his exemplary leadership while alive.

    “Leaders should emulate the selfless attributes of the late traditional ruler who will be remembered for his wise and unbiased counsel on national issues.

    “The late Asagba left behind worthy legacies and lived a fulfilled life dedicated to the service of humanity.

    “His death is a huge loss to the nation as he contributed to nation building through various platforms,” the statement read.

    The senator, in the statement, described the late Asagba as an accomplished Nigerian who attained giant heights in all endeavours.

    “His reign brought unprecedented development to Asaba and Delta in general.

    “The late traditional ruler will forever be remembered for his good deeds and I pray for the repose of his soul,” the statement read.

  • Orji Kalu’s rice not FG’s palliative – Aide

    Orji Kalu’s rice not FG’s palliative – Aide

    The Sen. Orji Kalu Media Office says the 30,000 bags of rice and cash donated by the senator to 13 villages in Igbere community is not part of Federal Government palliative.

    The office stated this in a statement by Mr Emmanuel Odoemelam in Aba on Monday.

    “The Senate Committee Chairman made the gesture out of his magnanimity as such has lasted since 1986 before he joined politics.

    “He personally supervised the sharing formula of the largesse to make sure no group was short-changed.

    “The palliatives were personally funded and not from federal government,” he said.

    He said that Kalu had the human heart to make the lives of his constituents worth living.

    “He is doing everything possible to reduce the pressure of the harsh economic situation on his constituents,” he said.

    He advised those making such insinuations to cease but appreciate commitment toward enhancing the people’s wellbeing.

    “When it is time to share constituency projects, such will be announced publicly.

    “Kalu is a detribalised global citizen who thinks of humanity first as all categories of persons have felt his impact as a senator,’’ he said.

  • 9th Senate valedictory: Lawan reveals number of bills passed in 4 years

    9th Senate valedictory: Lawan reveals number of bills passed in 4 years

    President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan has disclosed that the Senate passed over 500 bills in four years out of over 1,129 bills that were presented on the floor of the Senate.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Lawan made the disclosure in his remarks on Saturday during the valedictory session for the outgoing Senators of the 9th Assembly.

    “Today, I address you with mixed emotions. On the one hand, there is a sense of accomplishment for all that we have achieved together.

    “My gratitude is to God Almighty for the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria and being a part of this revered legislative body, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.

    Lawan said that the Senate accomplished some significant accomplishments over the last four years.

    “In lawmaking, the 9th Senate introduced and successfully passed critical legislation that could reform and promote the economy, improve transparency in government processes.

    “As of June 10, over 1,129 Bills were presented on the floor of the Senate, and over 500 were successfully passed.

    “The President assented to 131 Bills; the highest of any Assembly in Nigeria’s history.

    “In the last few days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had assented to two Bills passed by the 9th National Assembly; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.37) Bill, 2023”.

    “This extends the retirement age of high court judges and others, from 65 to 70 years. This was the first Bill to be signed by the President since taking the oath of office.

    “Only yesterday (Friday), the 9th, he also assented to the Electricity Act 2023, which we had passed in July 2022.

    “The new law replaces the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.”

    He said that in the discharge of their representative functions, the 9th Senate aggregated and amplified the problems faced by constituents.

    “Three hundred and sixty-one motions were moved in the 9th Senate and 488 Resolutions were passed.

    “Through these various motions and resolutions, we called the government’s attention to specific issues and sought their intervention.”

    Lawan said that beyond the impressive numbers, however, the laws cut across the 11 priority areas of their Legislative Agenda.

    Lawan further said that to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and weapons, “We passed the Bill for the Establishment of a National Commission for Coordination and Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

    “We passed other security-related laws, including the Police Act 2020, which introduced radical changes in the operations of the Nigerian Police Force and how they relate to the citizenry.”

    Orji Kalu cries at Senate’s valedictory session, says Nigeria unfair to him

    Chief Whip of the ninth Senate and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, broke down at the floor of the Senate on Saturday and wept while making contributions at the valedictory session of the chamber.

    Kalu cried while narrating how he has been treated politically, especially by those he helped build the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he spent his money to nurture.

    Kalu who started weeping at 1.19 pm, said, “Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money can buy. I’m not a thief. Those that put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me yet I survived it and I’m in the Senate with you.

    “I have never lacked. While I was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money that they used in forming that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief.

    “People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents.  Thank you for giving me these four years of uninterrupted support. This country is not fair.”

    The senator who represented Abia North on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is among the returnee lawmakers aspiring for Senate presidency. He had argued repeatedly that with the President from the West, the Vice President from the North, it is only fair and just that the Senate President comes from the East.

    Earlier in the session, the out-gone President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan said that the session was a special one against the backdrop that it would be used by the Senators to make remarks on the journey that started on June 11, 2019 and ended today.

  • 10th Senate Presidency: I’m in talks with Yari’s camp – Orji Kalu

    10th Senate Presidency: I’m in talks with Yari’s camp – Orji Kalu

    Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu, says he is in talks for possible alignment with the Senator-elect, Abdul’aziz Yari’s camp for the position of 10th Senate Presidency.

    Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, stated this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The lawmaker, who said he would not step down for anybody, added that he was mulling an alignment with Yari’s camp.

    “Well, I cannot step down for anybody. Yes, you are right. We are talking with Yari.

    “Our group and his people are talking. We are in intimate partnership and talking to make sure that no one zone can produce a senate president.

    “Like I used to tell you, no one zone can produce a president for Nigeria.

    “It’s the same thing for senate president. What we are trying to play with Sen. Yari is a united partnership that works for Nigeria,” he said.

    Kalu further stated that in the coming days and weeks, those partnerships would be unveiled.

    “You will see what the partnership looks like. We are in serious talks. Yes, I cannot deny it. Yari is a friend of mine and I’m his friend, and we decided to talk together.

    “We have been talking for the past four weeks and the talks will be unveiled by our sponsors.

    “He (Yari) has his sponsors and I have mine. So the sponsors will come together to decide what direction this partnership will go,’’ he said.

    Kalu, a former governor of Abia, said he would be very happy to follow what the sponsors would say, adding that Yari also would be happy to follow what the sponsors would want them to do.

    “We are two gentlemen; both of us are not hitting the nail. We are only thinking of the integrity of the senate and to support President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima who are our colleagues.

    “If you, press people, are thinking that what happened during Saraki will also happen now. No, it will never happen again in Nigeria’s political life.

    “We remember we cited a section of the law that there must be two-thirds of the senators before you are sworn in.

    “Few people sitting somewhere and making decision on who become the senate president is no longer functional.

    “What is functional is for all of us to sit together and decide on who gets what.

    “It’s a game; it’s a contest, and we will congratulate whoever wins. If we win, let people congratulate us; if other people win, we will also congratulate them.

    “They are our colleagues. We will be together in the next four years in the chamber. We are not enemies; it’s a contest,” he said.

    Kalu assured that the 10th senate would not disappoint Nigerians.

    “We are not going to disappoint Nigerians. We are capable of representing ourselves. Whether Yari-Kalu or Kalu-Yari, we will not disappoint Nigerians.

    “We will give Nigerians what they want. We will support the Federal Government and Nigerians will not be disappointed,” he said.

  • Children’s Day: Orji Kalu cautions against child abuse

    Children’s Day: Orji Kalu cautions against child abuse

    The Senate Chief Whip, Dr Orji Kalu has cautioned parents and guardians against child abuse and other social vices.

    Kalu, in his children’s day message issued on Saturday in Abuja urged governments at all levels to uphold Child Rights Act.

    The former Governor of Abia, who described children as leaders of tomorrow, expressed optimism that children play vital roles in building a nation.

    He, however, applauded parents and guardians for consistently mentoring and parenting children.

    Kalu said: “I felicitate children across the globe in commemoration of the 2023 children’s day.

    “I am delighted to commend parents, guardians and policy makers for their efforts in raising responsible and good children.

    “Children are future leaders and as such, they deserve good living conditions with proper care by parents and guardians.”

    According to Kalu, to build an ideal society, the rights of children as stipulated in the child rights act must be respected by all and sundry.

    He added: “Children must have access to quality education, healthcare, nutritious food, housing and others.

    “Collectively, we must protect children by criminalizing a range of acts including child labour, child abuse, child rape, exploitation for pornography and violence against children.

    “As parents and guardians, it is our responsibility to raise good children by upholding good moral conduct in our endeavours.”

    Kalu urged governments, non-profit organisations, civil society groups, the media and other stakeholders to advocate Child Rights Act.

    He also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards in their daily activities.

    Children’s Day, which is celebrated in Nigeria on May 27 annually is dedicated to celebrating children all over the world.

    It is also for adults to reminiscence their childhood experiences.

  • Senate Presidency: Orji Kalu, other aggrieved senators petition APC Secretariat

    Senate Presidency: Orji Kalu, other aggrieved senators petition APC Secretariat

    Three aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators have petitioned the party’s secretariat over the adoption of consensus candidates for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly.

    The senators included Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC-Zamfara), Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger), and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu(APC-Abia).

    Presenting their greviances during the visit on Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Abdullazizi Yari, said that the fourth senator, Osita Izunaso couldn’t join the group on the visit due to unforeseen circumstances.

    “We are here to present our letter of grievances to you and also tell this honourable house as a leaders, that we are not satisfied with the arrangement.

    “What we are expecting from you people is to give us a fair play, at least if nothing, to mention that a particular position is zoned and anybody in that zone can’t participate,”Yari said.

    He added that the lawmakers had done their best to ensure that the party remained in power and deserved to be carried along in its decisions.

    Yari added that politics was all about dialogue and communication, saying that all sides should be given a fair hearing.

    Responding, the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, said the zoning of the Senate Presidency was done in concert with stakeholders and some Senators.

    Adamu, the APC National Chairman while welcoming the lawmakers, expressed satisfaction on their visit and decision to come open with their grievance.

    “As chairman of the APC and members of the NWC, we take responsibility, I take responsibility for what has gone on air, and in that spirit, I welcome you to this office on behalf of my colleagues.

    “Yes there was no sufficient or adequate consultations with you who are contesting and it is simple principle of democracy that you get views and opinions.

    “But the circumstances that we found ourselves in after the elections frustrated our desire,” Adamu said, adding that the party’s leadership would revisit the issue in the interest of all.

    While appealing to the lawmakers to be calm, the APC national chairman said Sen. Bola Tinubu’s contributions were critical on the issue of the 10th National Assembly.

    “Hold the fire until the last word is heard from us, we are the custodians of the party as NWC, but we are not acting alone.

    “The voice of Tinubu the President-elect is an essential voice. We must accommodate him, the best we can. I will not compromise on that.

    “He is right now outside the country and by the grace of God when he comes back we will go back to the drawing board and put ours heads together again and see what we will get.

    “I cannot preempt that, I will wait until we hold that meeting with the President-elect,” Adamu said

    He assured the lawmakers that the party’s leadership would go through your memo with a view to addressing issues contained in it.

    “Whatever you heard is the art of human endeavour and we are not perfect as human beings. We can make mistakes.

    “So, if we find in the course of further consultations the mistakes that need to be looked at, we will look at them. The important thing is that the spirit of the party must be kept alive.

    “Our eyes must stay on the ball but in doing so we must make sure justice will be done, we will do the best as human beings to deliver justice to all and sundry,” Adamu said.

  • Senate Presidency: Orji Kalu writes APC NWC, Senators-elect

    Senate Presidency: Orji Kalu writes APC NWC, Senators-elect

    The Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu, has written members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) and 108 Senators-elect of his interest to become the Senate President.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Media Office of the Chief Whip of the Senate on Monday in Abuja.

    Kalu, however, refuted the report that South East Senators-elect endorsed him.

    According to him, the Senators-elect of the South East only met to make a demand from the President-elect and the party and yet to endorse anyone.

    Kalu, in the letters which he personally signed and addressed to each of the NWC members and Senators-elect, said he is offering himself for the position with sincerity of heart, humility, and candour.

    He explained that his seemingly inactive in the contest of the senate presidency was because of the one month mourning of his late wife, Mrs Ifeoma Kalu.

    Attached to the letters of intent is Kalu’s Legislative Agenda, which has six priorities.

    They are Economic Growth and Reform; Constitutional and Electoral Reform; National Security; Improved Social Conditions and Welfare; Efficient and Effective National Assembly and Global Influence.

    Kalu promised to promote and defend the constitution as well as foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the executive and the judiciary.

    “It is with a deep sense of joy and humility that I bring you warm greetings and that of Abia North Senatorial zone.

    “My emergence as the Senator to represent Abia North in this critical time in the history of our dear nation comes with huge responsibilities, top of which is to make quality laws for the good governance of our people.

    “To be able to achieve these enviable goals, we require good leaders who will pilot the affairs of the 10th Senate.

    “Leadership of a sophisticated Senate at the 10th Session will need men and women with abundance of shared vision, consensus building, charisma, credibility and pragmatism in the saddle.

    “This is why I most humbly write to officially inform you of my interest to be elected the next Senate President,” he stated.

    “I make this offer to serve you and the Nigerian people with sincerity of heart, humility, and candour.

    “The biggest asset I bring to the table is wisdom and experience garnered over the years in the management of human and material resources.

    “I promise to work for you, promote and defend the constitution and the party, and foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the party, the executive, and judiciary.

    “One thing is indubitably certain: working together in unity and mutual love and respect, we can take Nigeria to real next level of peace, progress, and development,” the letter read in part.

  • Senate Presidency race: Orji Kalu meets Tinubu behind closed door

    Senate Presidency race: Orji Kalu meets Tinubu behind closed door

    The President-elect, Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Abuja,  held a closed door meeting with the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu.

    Kalu, who arrived at Tinubu’s Asokoro residence in Abuja at 5:31 pm, decked in white attire and red cap,  was ushered into a  meeting with Tinubu.

    Recall that Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Monday after a four-week vacation in France.

    Kalu, before the closed door meeting, expressed gratitude to God for Tinubu’s successful vacation and safe return to Nigeria.

    The reason for their meeting might not be unconnected with the race for the Senate Presidency.

    Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Kalu said the purpose of his visit was to officially welcome and felicitate with the president-elect on his return from a successful vacation in Europe.

    According to him, the successful return of the president-elect attests to the comments which I made on  Friday, in which I dismissed claims that Tinubu is not well and receiving medical treatment.

    Recall that Kalu who spoke during the celebration of Mass in Abuja to mark his 63rd birthday, said that Tinubu is fit and healthy and would return soon.

    “I told Nigerians that Tinubu is not sick and that he will return soon and a few days after I made that comment, today you can see for yourself that he is here.

    “So this shows that our president-elect is fit and fully ready for the Job of leading Nigerians just like I said.

    “I just came to congratulate and officially welcome him back to the country and we are ready to support him for the task ahead,” Kalu said.

    Kalu said that they discussed some key issues on the future of the country.

    On his ambition for the Senate Presidency, Kalu said that he remained the best candidate among other contenders to partner with Tinubu in the overall interest of the country.

    “I am the best among all other candidates, I have the capacity to unite Nigeria and I am the best to work with our president-elect for the best interest of Nigeria.

    “Nigerians need to feel the impact of our party. I have the integrity, honesty and experience to lead the senate,” Kalu said.

    Tinubu and Kalu were former governors of Lagos state and Abia respectively,  from 1999 to 2007 with a relationship spanning over 30 years.

    While Tinubu served as a senator,  Kalu is the current senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the ninth senate.

    Upon re-election, Kalu is a leading contender in the race for Senate Presidency.