The former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has urged the United
\nStates , United Kingdom and German governments to expose the real treasury
\nlooters in Nigeria whom he said are known by the super powers.<\/p>\n
He has\u00a0 also called on federal government to institute a process where
\nfamous auditing firms will audit all public office holders to ascertain
\ntheir source of wealth .<\/p>\n
The Forbes billionaire made the remarks yesterday in United States\u00a0 while
\ndelivering a speech on Democratic process in\u00a0 African Countries\u00a0 in the
\nWar College, Washington DC.<\/p>\n
Kalu whose speech cut across many issues affecting Nigeria lamented many
\nabnormalities in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
According to him, “US,UK,Germany know those who have stacked millions of
\ndollars, transferred directly from Nigeria to western countries\u00a0 without
\nworking for it.”<\/p>\n
The former governor said the looters acquired the wealth with no trace of
\nevidence of business transactions , services or contracts.<\/p>\n
He also said Nigeria need\u00a0 three basic things he named as\u00a0 Justice,
\nobeisance to the rule of law, and accountability to move forward.<\/p>\n
The former presidential candidate described Nigeria as\u00a0 an interesting
\ncountry buried in\u00a0 tribalism and religion ,adding that in Nigeria, people
\ndo not see good\u00a0 in those who wish\u00a0 the country well.<\/p>\n
According to him,” People see no good in other\u00a0 people’s job. The leaders
\nand the governed have become so greedy that they forget the ethics of a
\nnation. A nation is supposed to be a committed area that must have the
\ninterest of the citizens as priority. It is only in Nigeria, that a form
\nis clearly specified to identify tribe, state, local government and
\nreligion. That means that the government of Nigeria since 1960 have been
\nin support of tribalism. There is no country in Nigeria that wants to move
\nforward and still have such specifications in a form. Corruption is the
\ngreatest problem in Nigeria. Those past\u00a0 leaders who claimed to be
\nfighting corruption were only accumulating wealth. Most of them came to be
\nleaders of our community with only twenty thousand naira and below, and
\nthey make no pretense in showing their wealth and affluence in their
\ndifferent communities.
\n“I was governor for eight years. And in that eight years, I never knew
\nsomebody can take public fund as his own. I never knew somebody aside
\nsecurity vote can take away people’s money. People who had nothing came
\ninto office and turned to multi billionaires and nobody asks questions
\nabout how the money was made. I call on the government to restore a
\nprocess whereby the KPMG, PWC, Deloitte and others be given opportunity to
\naudit all our past leaders. You can not just make someone a Governor today
\nand next, he buys a house in Victoria Island without stating how he got
\nthe money. Likewise a minister and he is already buying houses in Maitama
\nor Asokoro. Sometimes, possibly someone you know before .” He said<\/p>\n
Further speaking, Kalu\u00a0 recalled that “among the people who supported
\npolitical movement in Nigeria in 1998, few of us are being tried. I had
\nmentioned this in most forums I have been. The former president Obasanjo
\nwrote to your President, George Bush Jnr, requesting\u00a0 that I should be
\narrested in United States . But your President after investigation said
\nno. They equally wrote to the British prime minister, but he disagreed
\nafter investigation. But I am being tried in Nigeria for a law I do not
\nknow where it comes from. But I cannot dwell on this since it’s in the
\nCourt of competent jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
“Last time I spoke in Washington DC during a dinner, I repeated the same
\nthing. Nigeria is a beautiful country where given the appropriate rule of
\nlaw; if everyone is made to obey the rule of the land and respect the law
\n;If all our people are made to subject themselves to the laws of the land,
\nNigeria will be a beautiful place to live.”<\/p>\n
kalu’s visit to War college ,Washington DC\u00a0 makes it the third time he The former governor while recounting his relationship with the Institute Speaking on the Nigerian economy and the orientation of the leaders and “What we also need Nigerians to do is to come out and support civil Kalu also appealled\u00a0 to the staff, the diplomats and senior military “I am sure they know them. The government of United States and Britain While stating his optimism in coming out victorious\u00a0 in the corruption “I believe history will exonerate us. My greatest challenge is that our In addition, he said ” I\u00a0 believe the judiciary should be totally allowed Commenting on the rift between the presidency and the legislators,\u00a0 Kalu “This morning , my duty is very simple , to give insight on ‘\u00a0 Democratic The one time student leader also decried the decaying value system in In his words : “In our civil responsibilities which is very important for Continuing, he accused the western countries of doing less to help African Kalu also said Nigeria is\u00a0 \u00a0a beautiful country which\u00a0 if collectively He complained that Nigerian rule of law is zero and stated that What While lamenting lack of policy sustainability by succesive governments, He said,\u00a0 “‘Lack ot consistent government policies and sustainability is “Some people referring to me as an entrepreneur complain that I didn’t Continuing, he said ,” Many of the moribund structures were located in Concluding his speech, Kalu thanked the audience , and also chronicled He stated thus : “Nigerians are not asking too much. They are only\u00a0 asking ” Ladies and gentlemen , I am very optimisitic that Nigeria will rise to 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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nwill be visiting the college in three years<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n
\ntold the audience that the college during his eight years reign as Abia
\nstate governor had sent 50 man delegation to Abia state during their visit
\nto Nigeria .He\u00a0 expressed his appreciation to the college which according
\nto him, has always granted him permission to use the Institute for
\nresearch whenever he is in Washington DC.<\/p>\n
\nthe led, the former governor said, “We need people who will see Nigeria as
\nNigeria. People who will not attach any religious or tribal sentiments
\nabout the country. We need people that will\u00a0 call a spade a spade. Last
\nweek, I urged President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the economy the way he
\ntackled Boko Haram. In all honesty and being factual, I still suggest that
\nPresident Buhari as a matter of urgency should declare economic emergency
\n. The economy is in very bad shape and the citizens are not happy,<\/p>\n
\ndemocracy. Civil democracy is the only way interests of others can be
\nprotected. People blame politicians and everybody but themselves. They do
\nnot blame those who rig the elections to put illegitimate and unfit
\nleaders in powerful. Leaders who do not think well about our society;
\nleaders who think that the best way of living is to steal public funds.
\nThose who think that the only thing they are elected for is to make
\nthemselves comfortable.” He said<\/p>\n
\nofficers present in the occasion\u00a0 \u00a0to urge the US government to assist
\nNigeria in\u00a0 fishing out those that have stolen Nigerian common wealth.<\/p>\n
\nknow those that have stolen our money. Why hid them? When ex President
\nObasanjo wrote to British government telling them that I stole money to
\nbuy a house in London. They investigated and found out that I bought it in
\n1991 and that is the only house I have in Britain. “He recalled.<\/p>\n
\ncharges levelled against him by the\u00a0 Nigerian anti graft agency, the 2017
\neight rated\u00a0 Forbes billionaire blamed Nigerians for what he referred to
\nas being gullible and believing anything.<\/p>\n
\npeople are very naive, they are as naive as anything. They are very
\ngullible, and consume every lie told to them by people in authority. I was
\ngovernor for eight years, for five years of that governorship, I was
\ncommitted in asking the Federal Government to do the right thing. I want
\nto reassure you people that judiciary in Nigeria are not as bad as they
\nare portrayed to be. When I was governor, we went to court against Federal
\ngovernment of Nigeria 15 times and we won 13 times. Those in charge of
\njudiciary only need to fix it, in such a way that one could get justice.<\/p>\n
\nto operate independently. I am more impressed with the court system here
\nin United States and also in United Kingdom. I am also praying that the
\nleaders of our judiciary will continue to improve our legal system. No
\nmatter the kind of system of government practiced in a country, the
\njudiciary remains the bedrock of survival of that nation. Our judiciary
\nare trying very well and I believe that if we get our judiciary right and
\nwell constituted,\u00a0 that will be the beginning and turn around of our
\ndemocratic process.”<\/p>\n
\nnoted that president muhammadu Buhari should lead a peace talk process
\nbetween the executive and legislature\u00a0 ,adding that frosty relationship
\nshould not be allowed to exist between the two bodies<\/p>\n
\nProcess of African Countries’ and I have chosen to concentrate on Nigeria
\nas a sample . Nigeria do not need much in democracy. The Parliament must
\nbe\u00a0 totally independent. The infighting in the Parliament in Nigeria
\nshould be seen that our party, the APC ,has to do more. I call on the
\nPresident to institute\u00a0 a good rapport between the executive and
\nlegislators. The president should also lead this process. I also believe
\nthe strength of any nation depends on how strong their military are.\u00a0 The
\nNigerian military have done very well in all international engagements
\nincluding Nigeria police. They need more equipment and support to do more
\nand improve their intelligence. ”<\/p>\n
\nNigeria. He recalled what student unionism used to be in their days,
\nadding that money is now being prioritized to values .<\/p>\n
\nour Democratic growth, Nigerians are yet to get it right. Money is not
\neverything and it is time we instill it in our consciousness. When I was
\nin the university, we never requested money from any politician. It was
\nunheard of asking any political party or politician for financial
\nassistance.\u00a0 We strongly stood firm for Aluta.\u00a0 Our value system has
\ndeteriorated. When I was growing up, we use to respect elders, teachers,
\njournalists and other professions. But it can not be said of same today.
\nNowadays, every secondary school leaver or university graduate want to go
\ninto politics because of the absolute loot that have lingered since return
\nof democracy in 1999.”<\/p>\n
\ncountries, insisting that Nigeria needs support not aid\u00a0 \u00a0,”Being in war
\ncollege today to interact with you is a privilege and I will not take it
\nfor granted. When you talk of aids given to African countries, you find
\nout that we do not really need all of that. We only need equal
\nopportunity. It is only in Africa that western leaders continue to support
\ndevaluation of our currency. Knowing full well we produce nothing , yet
\nthey keep supporting devaluation . This is not acceptable by me. The west
\nshould realize that the\u00a0 major role to be played is not to continue
\ndevaluing our currency when they are buying our raw materials for
\nproduction. It is not right. All institutions of the West are not totally
\nsupporting Africa growth. We have to go another root to be able to grow
\neconomically. We have to embrace technology and agriculture. We need
\nindustrial revolution and we have people who can start it up today, we
\nhave them in Aba, Onitsha and other Eastern part of Nigeria. We have
\npeople who fought the civil war and are very creative.\u00a0 I like the
\ndecision Federal government had taken to legitimize illegal refineries.
\nThey should also encourage them by giving 2000 of them licence to operate.
\nThey should be given crude oil to refine at 35% discount and Nigeria will
\nstop importing fuel.” He said<\/p>\n
\nenhanced will have a bigger economy than United States. He added that
\nNigeria has everything including abundance human and capital resources.<\/p>\n
\nNigeria need is good managers and good followers. “We need intelligent
\nleaders who will be able to define the policy direction and military
\ndirection of the country. I believe President Muhammadu Buhari’s
\nascendance is by Providence and he is there for a purpose. He might not be
\nperfect but anybody can fall sick.There are insinuations that the
\npresident is unforgiven. I call on him to forgive his enemies and vice
\nversa. Nigeria is our own and if there are people that have offended the
\nPresident, the president should forgive them. Likewise those that feel the
\nPresident has offended them. Let us live in peace with no tribalism and
\nreligious fanaticism. Let us forget sentiments and see ourselves as
\nNigerians. The youth restiveness is also something we must tackle very
\nquickly.<\/p>\n
\nKalu recounted the efforts he put in place as governor to give his state
\nan outstanding governance but was challenged by the then federal
\ngovernment. This is even as he accused the then President Olusegun
\nObasanjo led federal government of putting policies to deny him fund.<\/p>\n
\nwhat is killing us and our businesses\u00a0 today . Once one government issues
\na policy and leaves, the succeeding government overrides that policy with
\nno good reason. Some people might wonder why Lagos state is doing great
\namidst challenges. It’s because the successors consistently followed the
\npolicies not minding whether the relationship is frosty or not. In our own
\nAbia, it wasn’t same, my successor abandoned the policies we worked hard
\nto put in place for Abians, and it became a disaster and people like us
\nare being blamed.<\/p>\n
\nbuild heaven and earth in Abia. But you see ,it was strange that the first
\nmoney I received as a Governor in may 1999 was 210 million naira. The
\nfirst time I saw one billion naira was in the month of November 2004, the
\nrecords are there.\u00a0 For a state like Abia with a lot of payroll,
\ndilapidated systems and infrastructure. I cried for the state. My good
\nfriend, the late Managing director of Guarantee\u00a0 Trust Bank, Tayo
\nAdemoroku. May his soul rest in peace knows how we worked hard to give my
\npeople the best . I wouldn’t say much because if he was alive, I would
\nhave said what he told me. Governance is not easy. I prepared a proposal
\nwith him to start middle class hotels, industries, investment on airports,
\nAirlines and hotels for Abia State government. The then Federal government
\nturned us down on the basis we cannot do it. Few months later,the\u00a0 money
\nwe could have used for development was deducted as part ot the money
\nborrowed from the civilian government of late Dr Sam Mbakwe.”<\/p>\n
\nAbia and our share of the debt was\u00a0 650 million US dollars while that of
\nImo State was 450 million US\u00a0 dollars. The federal government started
\ndeducting it again. Just to make sure they punished me as an individual.
\nThey started deducting it from day one. That was not the policy before .
\nThe policy was that they will be deducting it from the federation account.
\nA new policy came and overruled the previous one.” He explained<\/p>\n
\nwhat Nigerians are asking from her leaders. He queried why all African
\ncountries are backward expect South Africa , and requested the US to give
\nNigeria assistance in the military and economy.<\/p>\n
\nfor food on their table, good health care, decent school for their school,
\nemployment. All these things\u00a0 are what we\u00a0 can do. The country is capable
\nof doing it. I urge President Buhari to\u00a0 replan the system and commit his
\nteam to doing an Economic turn around . Nigeria has no business in being
\npoor. Nigeria has\u00a0 no business in poor management of our economy. Almost
\nall the countries in Africa except South Africa are in bad shape. Is it a
\ncurse? But I am optimistic we will lift it up. I call on all good loving
\nNigerians to help support the government. The West should also help us in
\nfighting corruption. They know who the corrupt leaders are. I am saying it
\nhere in War college. You people have a lot of intelligence. All the
\ntransactions they do are in dollars. They should call a spade a spade. All
\ntransfers are done in dollars and you can help us.<\/p>\n
\nits expected\u00a0 state if nepotism, tribalism, religious fanaticism and all
\nthose things that draws us backward are put on hold . In this 21st
\ncentury, we can’t also waste our resources. We must go back to start our
\ntechnological development from agriculture. We must encourage both small
\nscale and middle class farming.Lastly , I thank the war college community
\nfor this rare opportunity given to me. I chose to narrow my African
\ndiscussion to Nigeria unlike last year. I thank the former Ambassadors,
\nsenior military officers, Navy officers, supporting staff of the college.
\nI am trusting you help us pass policy papers to your President for support
\nmilitarily and economically. We don’t need aid, all we need is support.
\nThank you very much and may God bless you.” He stated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"