Date Published: 02/23/11

I do not speak for Ex-Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu

My attention has been drawn to an interview story in The Sun, Monday, February 21, 2011 attacking the governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.

The story entitled: “PDP flag too complex for Abia Gov”, was credited to one Mr. Emeka Obasi, an aide to ex-governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

I am Prince Emeka Obasi, former Commissioner for Information in Abia State and publisher of Business Hallmark newspaper. I am not Mr. Emeka Obasi, who is currently an aide to ex-governor Kalu.

Since that report, I have been inundated by calls from well meaning members of the public, who felt affronted by the story and innocently mistook the said Emeka Obasi for me.

It is noteworthy that this is not the first time this kind of situation would arise. In recent times, the coincidence in our names has constituted a source of worry and infact nuisance to me.

I therefore feel constrained to say that I am not the Emeka Obasi, who is a media aide to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State. Whereas it is true that I once served as Special Adviser, Media Research and Strategy to former Governor Kalu and subsequently Honorable Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the Government of Abia State, my tenure ended in 2002, about nine years ago. Since then I HAVE NOT HAD, and INDEED WILL NEVER HAVE any official dealings with Kalu. I have never SPOKEN AND INDEED WILL NEVER SPEAK on his behalf, PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY. Of course, I recognize the rights of the said Mr Emeka Obasi to work and speak for any one he wishes, however, I enjoin him and his master not to try to create the impression on members of the public in any manner, that we are one and the same person, just to cause embarrassment to my kinsman and friend, the hardworking Governor of Abia State, Chief Dr. T.A. Orji (Ochendo!).

Perhaps it is pertinent for me to reiterate that I am wholly, fully and comprehensively in support of the dynamic and courageous efforts of Governor T.A. Orji to liberate Abia State from the bondage of the years of the locusts. I identify with millions of Abia indigenes who support him and I hereby appeal to former Governor Kalu and his minions to stop distracting Governor Orji. It is the height of conceit for anyone to think that Abia belongs to his family and so must continue to control it by hook or crook. The truth is that Abia, God’s own state, belongs to GOD. And T.A. Orji is God’s anointed to lead Abia until 2015. God’s case, no appeal!