The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has recounted his ordeal while in prison during the valedictory session to mark the end of the 9th Senate.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was sentenced by a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court for 12 years over N7.65 billion fraud when he was governor of Abia State.
In tears, Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, explained that he has made money as a businessman before he joined politics, saying that he financed the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, between 1998 and 1999, and lamented how he was tagged a thief by the same government he assisted.
As the emotion laden Kalu battled to control his tears, he expressed disappointment over the humiliation he went through in hands of agents of government, saying that some elements who cannot explain the source of their wealth walk around freely, but those of them who work hard in business are being harassed.
He explained that his sojourn in the Senate had given him a better picture of citizens, stressing that Nigerians are “wonderful people.”
He thanked the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima for always coming to see him in prison on a weekly basis throughout the time he spent in prison and those who showed concern over his imprisonment.
He said: “Before I joined politics, I had money to buy whatever I wanted. I had already established manufacturing companies in Onitsha and three manufacturing companies in Aba.”
“Between 1997 and 1998, I financed the Peoples Democratic Party and those who do come to my house for transport fares are those labelling me a thief”, he lamented.
