COSEYL refutes allegations against Sen. Kalu

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has refuted allegations leveled against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated.

It condemned what it called a campaign of falsehood by Chijioke Chukwu, former minority leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, accusing him of resorting to misinformation as a means of political survival.

In a statement by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Okey Nwaoru, the group dismissed Chukwu’s claims that Senator Kalu influenced the appointment of his younger brother, Nnanna Uzor Kalu, into the National Assembly Board.

The statement read: “After a careful investigation, we uncovered that Senator Kalu did not influence the appointment of his younger brother Hon. Nnanna Uzor Kalu into the National Assembly Board, nor did he at any time complain to anyone about not being carried along as falsely claimed by Hon. Chukwu.

“It is on record that about 60 percent of South East successful politicians and businessmen who are doing well today in politics and business passed through the tutelage of Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

“In 1999, when Senator Kalu was Executive Governor of Abia State, he appointed Barr. Chuka Odom, an indigene of Imo State who has no blood ties with him, as Commissioner of Special Duties under his administration. He later nominated him as a Federal Minister of State for Environment under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Senator Kalu, when he was governor, appointed Chief Victor Oyie, who was the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and an indigene of Anambra State, into his cabinet. He also appointed the late Olusegun Bamgbose, an indigene of Ondo State and a former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, into his cabinet.”

The group noted that other key political figures from the South East and beyond had benefited from Senator Kalu’s leadership, including Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the current APC Chairman in Ebonyi State, who recently hosted Kalu to express his gratitude.

They recounted Kalu’s role in supporting Chief Ikedi Ohakim in the 2007 general elections and Benjamin Kalu in 1999, even against his own kinsman.

“In the 2007 general elections, Senator Kalu supported Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who contested under the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), to become governor of Imo State. Chief Ohakim did not have the financial strength, but Senator Kalu gave him all the support needed, and he became governor.

“In the 1999 general elections, Senator Kalu fully supported Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu to win the primary ticket of the All Progressive Party (APP) for Bende Federal Constituency, and he also came out fully to support him in the general elections against his kinsman and younger brother, Chief Chima Anyaso of the PDP.

“Despite betrayals and unfaithfulness by persons whom Senator Kalu assisted to grow in one way or the other, he has remained unperturbed in his determination to help humanity and his fellow persons to grow. He is an enigma of sorts who sees kindness and goodwill to his fellow humans as a way of life.”

COSEYL also challenged Chukwu to present evidence of his own contributions to empowering others.

“Before Senator Orji clocked 39 years of age, he had made over 5,000 persons millionaires and billionaires. How old is Chukwu now? He should show us how many persons he has made to grow in whatever field of their chosen endeavor.

“Abians should ask Hon. Chukwu how much he paid those persons who served as his aides when he was a member of the House. Can any of his former aides say anything good about him? We know the kind of person Hon. Chukwu is.

“Hon. Chukwu should go and pick up his clothes from where he left them after taking his bath and leave Senator Kalu alone, whom Almighty God has used tremendously to help humanity.

“Senator Kalu is a rewarder of men who rewards his followers and those who come his way. His word is his bond. He doesn’t renege on his promises to his people. We are proud of Senator Kalu’s achievements,” they said.