By Emma Njoku
Former governor of Abia State and top chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, said he has been vindicated by the recent visit of the APC national chairman, some governors and a minister to President Muhammadu Buhari in London.
He made the remark on Sunday, during a dinner hosted in his honour by Dr Nasiru Abubakar in Shanghai, China.
Kalu had, on June 2 visited the ailing president in London and told Nigerians that the president’s health was improving and also predicted that Buhari would return to the country soon.
Since Kalu’s visit, the wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo have also visited Buhari and corroborated the former governor’s message of improvement on the health of the president.
Speaking on several critical issues, Kalu also said Nigeria’s greatest problem stems from tribalism and religion. He regretted that Nigerians get sentimental over frivolous issues and said for the country to move forward, many things should be put aside.
On why he speaks for President Buhari he said: “It behoves on me to support the government in power and the APC policies. First, I speak as a member of the APC, second, as a friend of the president and third, as a Nigerian who wants the country to move forward. We should try to be our brothers’ keeper.”
Kalu urged Nigerians to continue to pray for our Buhari.
“You see, I’m excited because as we speak, news has it that President Buhari is receiving the national chairman of APC and some governors on visit. This has vindicated most of us; people wanted to kill us for telling them that the president is alive and will soon be back. I don’t know what people would gain if a leader dies. It’s written in both the Bible and Koran that we should pray for our leaders. Our leaders need our prayers; they need our help and cooperation.”
Kalu expressed appreciation to his host, Dr Nasiru Abubakar and the Nigerian community in China for their prayers for Buhari. The eminent businessman also chided accused treasury looters and referred to them as ‘shameless people’ for boasting to return to power in 2019. He said corruption is the greatest challenge of the Nigerian society and regretted that people are paying lip service to it.
“People are just saying anything on it. Nigerians should be able to identify corrupt leaders. How can somebody just be given a position, and in less than two days he is already a very rich man and nobody asks questions. So, I want to encourage all of you to be agents of government.
The country needs lot of healing and unity.”
The former governor regretted that some of “those who looted the country and are still walking freely because nobody is talking about it and it is embarrassing, even to international communities. About three years ago, when we first mentioned about looting, they looked at us like fools, but we know that some of them are still shamelessly talking about comig back to rule Nigeria.”
He insisted on the unity of the country and condemned hate speeches which he said is a ‘product of miscreants’
“The youth leader of the Arewa Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima and I, have been in touch and I’m excited by the assurances he has given. The quit notice given to Igbo was a product of miscreants who do not understand what the unity of this country means. Look at the largeness of China and we are still supporting them under one policy.
“I believe that Nigeria will, in the nearest future, be good for everybody. I believe that we can live as people who are very civilised. Why should we disintegrate? Instead of us to talk about acquiring more land, we are talking about dividing the country. Of course, we can’t support such.”