Orji Kalu Denies Supporting Tinubu To Escape EFCC Charges, Responds To Abati
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, has refuted claims that his support for President Bola Tinubu is linked to unresolved corruption allegations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The former governor of Abia State addressed the accusations in a recent social media broadcast, responding to former presidential spokesperson Dr. Reuben Abati.
Abati had suggested during a television program that Kalu’s backing of Tinubu stemmed from a favorable dismissal of Kalu’s EFCC case under the current administration, citing “lack of diligent prosecution.” In response, Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, described Abati’s comments as an affront to his integrity and that of President Tinubu.
“Dr. Abati, I respect you, and you know I have a strong character,” Kalu said. “I attended every court proceeding over 12 years and never missed a single sitting. My court matters were adjudicated before Tinubu’s administration, and 19 witnesses couldn’t establish any case against me.”
Kalu went on to reflect on his time in jail, asserting, “I’m grateful for that experience, which taught me valuable lessons. I was set to travel to Wuhan in December 2019, but my circumstances kept me from being at the COVID-19 epicenter.”
The senator emphasized that his support for Tinubu is rooted in party loyalty rather than personal gain. “Reuben, I support my party and the president. God commands us to pray for our leaders, and that’s exactly what I am doing,” he stated, challenging Abati to enter politics if he wished to criticize on such grounds.
Kalu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the ruling party and dismissed any notion that his political alignment is a maneuver to evade accountability.
