The former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has urged the United
States , United Kingdom and German governments to expose the real treasury
looters in Nigeria whom he said are known by the super powers.
He has also called on federal government to institute a process where
famous auditing firms will audit all public office holders to ascertain
their source of wealth .
The Forbes billionaire made the remarks yesterday in United States while
delivering a speech on Democratic process in African Countries in the
War College, Washington DC.
Kalu whose speech cut across many issues affecting Nigeria lamented many
abnormalities in Nigeria.
According to him, “US,UK,Germany know those who have stacked millions of
dollars, transferred directly from Nigeria to western countries without
working for it.”
The former governor said the looters acquired the wealth with no trace of
evidence of business transactions , services or contracts.
He also said Nigeria need three basic things he named as Justice,
obeisance to the rule of law, and accountability to move forward.
The former presidential candidate described Nigeria as an interesting
country buried in tribalism and religion ,adding that in Nigeria, people
do not see good in those who wish the country well.
According to him,” People see no good in other people’s job. The leaders
and the governed have become so greedy that they forget the ethics of a
nation. A nation is supposed to be a committed area that must have the
interest of the citizens as priority. It is only in Nigeria, that a form
is clearly specified to identify tribe, state, local government and
religion. That means that the government of Nigeria since 1960 have been
in support of tribalism. There is no country in Nigeria that wants to move
forward and still have such specifications in a form. Corruption is the
greatest problem in Nigeria. Those past leaders who claimed to be
fighting corruption were only accumulating wealth. Most of them came to be
leaders of our community with only twenty thousand naira and below, and
they make no pretense in showing their wealth and affluence in their
different communities.
“I was governor for eight years. And in that eight years, I never knew
somebody can take public fund as his own. I never knew somebody aside
security vote can take away people’s money. People who had nothing came
into office and turned to multi billionaires and nobody asks questions
about how the money was made. I call on the government to restore a
process whereby the KPMG, PWC, Deloitte and others be given opportunity to
audit all our past leaders. You can not just make someone a Governor today
and next, he buys a house in Victoria Island without stating how he got
the money. Likewise a minister and he is already buying houses in Maitama
or Asokoro. Sometimes, possibly someone you know before .” He said
Further speaking, Kalu recalled that “among the people who supported
political movement in Nigeria in 1998, few of us are being tried. I had
mentioned this in most forums I have been. The former president Obasanjo
wrote to your President, George Bush Jnr, requesting that I should be
arrested in United States . But your President after investigation said
no. They equally wrote to the British prime minister, but he disagreed
after investigation. But I am being tried in Nigeria for a law I do not
know where it comes from. But I cannot dwell on this since it’s in the
Court of competent jurisdiction.
“Last time I spoke in Washington DC during a dinner, I repeated the same
thing. Nigeria is a beautiful country where given the appropriate rule of
law; if everyone is made to obey the rule of the land and respect the law
;If all our people are made to subject themselves to the laws of the land,
Nigeria will be a beautiful place to live.”
kalu’s visit to War college ,Washington DC makes it the third time he
will be visiting the college in three years.
The former governor while recounting his relationship with the Institute
told the audience that the college during his eight years reign as Abia
state governor had sent 50 man delegation to Abia state during their visit
to Nigeria .He expressed his appreciation to the college which according
to him, has always granted him permission to use the Institute for
research whenever he is in Washington DC.
Speaking on the Nigerian economy and the orientation of the leaders and
the led, the former governor said, “We need people who will see Nigeria as
Nigeria. People who will not attach any religious or tribal sentiments
about the country. We need people that will call a spade a spade. Last
week, I urged President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the economy the way he
tackled Boko Haram. In all honesty and being factual, I still suggest that
President Buhari as a matter of urgency should declare economic emergency
. The economy is in very bad shape and the citizens are not happy,
“What we also need Nigerians to do is to come out and support civil
democracy. Civil democracy is the only way interests of others can be
protected. People blame politicians and everybody but themselves. They do
not blame those who rig the elections to put illegitimate and unfit
leaders in powerful. Leaders who do not think well about our society;
leaders who think that the best way of living is to steal public funds.
Those who think that the only thing they are elected for is to make
themselves comfortable.” He said
Kalu also appealled to the staff, the diplomats and senior military
officers present in the occasion to urge the US government to assist
Nigeria in fishing out those that have stolen Nigerian common wealth.
“I am sure they know them. The government of United States and Britain
know those that have stolen our money. Why hid them? When ex President
Obasanjo wrote to British government telling them that I stole money to
buy a house in London. They investigated and found out that I bought it in
1991 and that is the only house I have in Britain. “He recalled.
While stating his optimism in coming out victorious in the corruption
charges levelled against him by the Nigerian anti graft agency, the 2017
eight rated Forbes billionaire blamed Nigerians for what he referred to
as being gullible and believing anything.
“I believe history will exonerate us. My greatest challenge is that our
people are very naive, they are as naive as anything. They are very
gullible, and consume every lie told to them by people in authority. I was
governor for eight years, for five years of that governorship, I was
committed in asking the Federal Government to do the right thing. I want
to reassure you people that judiciary in Nigeria are not as bad as they
are portrayed to be. When I was governor, we went to court against Federal
government of Nigeria 15 times and we won 13 times. Those in charge of
judiciary only need to fix it, in such a way that one could get justice.
In addition, he said ” I believe the judiciary should be totally allowed
to operate independently. I am more impressed with the court system here
in United States and also in United Kingdom. I am also praying that the
leaders of our judiciary will continue to improve our legal system. No
matter the kind of system of government practiced in a country, the
judiciary remains the bedrock of survival of that nation. Our judiciary
are trying very well and I believe that if we get our judiciary right and
well constituted, that will be the beginning and turn around of our
democratic process.”
Commenting on the rift between the presidency and the legislators, Kalu
noted that president muhammadu Buhari should lead a peace talk process
between the executive and legislature ,adding that frosty relationship
should not be allowed to exist between the two bodies
“This morning , my duty is very simple , to give insight on ‘ Democratic
Process of African Countries’ and I have chosen to concentrate on Nigeria
as a sample . Nigeria do not need much in democracy. The Parliament must
be totally independent. The infighting in the Parliament in Nigeria
should be seen that our party, the APC ,has to do more. I call on the
President to institute a good rapport between the executive and
legislators. The president should also lead this process. I also believe
the strength of any nation depends on how strong their military are. The
Nigerian military have done very well in all international engagements
including Nigeria police. They need more equipment and support to do more
and improve their intelligence. ”
The one time student leader also decried the decaying value system in
Nigeria. He recalled what student unionism used to be in their days,
adding that money is now being prioritized to values .
In his words : “In our civil responsibilities which is very important for
our Democratic growth, Nigerians are yet to get it right. Money is not
everything and it is time we instill it in our consciousness. When I was
in the university, we never requested money from any politician. It was
unheard of asking any political party or politician for financial
assistance. We strongly stood firm for Aluta. Our value system has
deteriorated. When I was growing up, we use to respect elders, teachers,
journalists and other professions. But it can not be said of same today.
Nowadays, every secondary school leaver or university graduate want to go
into politics because of the absolute loot that have lingered since return
of democracy in 1999.”
Continuing, he accused the western countries of doing less to help African
countries, insisting that Nigeria needs support not aid ,”Being in war
college today to interact with you is a privilege and I will not take it
for granted. When you talk of aids given to African countries, you find
out that we do not really need all of that. We only need equal
opportunity. It is only in Africa that western leaders continue to support
devaluation of our currency. Knowing full well we produce nothing , yet
they keep supporting devaluation . This is not acceptable by me. The west
should realize that the major role to be played is not to continue
devaluing our currency when they are buying our raw materials for
production. It is not right. All institutions of the West are not totally
supporting Africa growth. We have to go another root to be able to grow
economically. We have to embrace technology and agriculture. We need
industrial revolution and we have people who can start it up today, we
have them in Aba, Onitsha and other Eastern part of Nigeria. We have
people who fought the civil war and are very creative. I like the
decision Federal government had taken to legitimize illegal refineries.
They should also encourage them by giving 2000 of them licence to operate.
They should be given crude oil to refine at 35% discount and Nigeria will
stop importing fuel.” He said
Kalu also said Nigeria is a beautiful country which if collectively
enhanced will have a bigger economy than United States. He added that
Nigeria has everything including abundance human and capital resources.
He complained that Nigerian rule of law is zero and stated that What
Nigeria need is good managers and good followers. “We need intelligent
leaders who will be able to define the policy direction and military
direction of the country. I believe President Muhammadu Buhari’s
ascendance is by Providence and he is there for a purpose. He might not be
perfect but anybody can fall sick.There are insinuations that the
president is unforgiven. I call on him to forgive his enemies and vice
versa. Nigeria is our own and if there are people that have offended the
President, the president should forgive them. Likewise those that feel the
President has offended them. Let us live in peace with no tribalism and
religious fanaticism. Let us forget sentiments and see ourselves as
Nigerians. The youth restiveness is also something we must tackle very
quickly.
While lamenting lack of policy sustainability by succesive governments,
Kalu recounted the efforts he put in place as governor to give his state
an outstanding governance but was challenged by the then federal
government. This is even as he accused the then President Olusegun
Obasanjo led federal government of putting policies to deny him fund.
He said, “‘Lack ot consistent government policies and sustainability is
what is killing us and our businesses today . Once one government issues
a policy and leaves, the succeeding government overrides that policy with
no good reason. Some people might wonder why Lagos state is doing great
amidst challenges. It’s because the successors consistently followed the
policies not minding whether the relationship is frosty or not. In our own
Abia, it wasn’t same, my successor abandoned the policies we worked hard
to put in place for Abians, and it became a disaster and people like us
are being blamed.
“Some people referring to me as an entrepreneur complain that I didn’t
build heaven and earth in Abia. But you see ,it was strange that the first
money I received as a Governor in may 1999 was 210 million naira. The
first time I saw one billion naira was in the month of November 2004, the
records are there. For a state like Abia with a lot of payroll,
dilapidated systems and infrastructure. I cried for the state. My good
friend, the late Managing director of Guarantee Trust Bank, Tayo
Ademoroku. May his soul rest in peace knows how we worked hard to give my
people the best . I wouldn’t say much because if he was alive, I would
have said what he told me. Governance is not easy. I prepared a proposal
with him to start middle class hotels, industries, investment on airports,
Airlines and hotels for Abia State government. The then Federal government
turned us down on the basis we cannot do it. Few months later,the money
we could have used for development was deducted as part ot the money
borrowed from the civilian government of late Dr Sam Mbakwe.”
Continuing, he said ,” Many of the moribund structures were located in
Abia and our share of the debt was 650 million US dollars while that of
Imo State was 450 million US dollars. The federal government started
deducting it again. Just to make sure they punished me as an individual.
They started deducting it from day one. That was not the policy before .
The policy was that they will be deducting it from the federation account.
A new policy came and overruled the previous one.” He explained
Concluding his speech, Kalu thanked the audience , and also chronicled
what Nigerians are asking from her leaders. He queried why all African
countries are backward expect South Africa , and requested the US to give
Nigeria assistance in the military and economy.
He stated thus : “Nigerians are not asking too much. They are only asking
for food on their table, good health care, decent school for their school,
employment. All these things are what we can do. The country is capable
of doing it. I urge President Buhari to replan the system and commit his
team to doing an Economic turn around . Nigeria has no business in being
poor. Nigeria has no business in poor management of our economy. Almost
all the countries in Africa except South Africa are in bad shape. Is it a
curse? But I am optimistic we will lift it up. I call on all good loving
Nigerians to help support the government. The West should also help us in
fighting corruption. They know who the corrupt leaders are. I am saying it
here in War college. You people have a lot of intelligence. All the
transactions they do are in dollars. They should call a spade a spade. All
transfers are done in dollars and you can help us.
” Ladies and gentlemen , I am very optimisitic that Nigeria will rise to
its expected state if nepotism, tribalism, religious fanaticism and all
those things that draws us backward are put on hold . In this 21st
century, we can’t also waste our resources. We must go back to start our
technological development from agriculture. We must encourage both small
scale and middle class farming.Lastly , I thank the war college community
for this rare opportunity given to me. I chose to narrow my African
discussion to Nigeria unlike last year. I thank the former Ambassadors,
senior military officers, Navy officers, supporting staff of the college.
I am trusting you help us pass policy papers to your President for support
militarily and economically. We don’t need aid, all we need is support.
Thank you very much and may God bless you.” He stated