By John Attah
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, has alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo reneged on an agreement to serve only one four-year term and return presidential power to the North ahead of the 2003 general election.
Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, said the alleged understanding was reached during a meeting involving himself, Obasanjo and former military President Ibrahim Babangida at the former President’s residence in Ota, Ogun State.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News’ “PrimeTime”, anchored by Charles Aniagolu, on Monday night, Kalu said the agreement was among the reasons his once cordial relationship with Obasanjo eventually collapsed.
He explained that the arrangement was intended to accommodate the political circumstances surrounding Obasanjo’s emergence in 1999 and ensure the continuation of the country’s power rotation arrangement.
Asked whether Babangida was expected to succeed Obasanjo, with him serving as running mate, Kalu said he could not confirm the vice-presidential arrangement but insisted that the one-term agreement was discussed.
“Well, I cannot be certain about the vice presidency, but I can tell you, yes, this was our discussion in Ota. That he would leave, he would leave four years and give back to the North,” he said.
He further identified an individual he described as Obasanjo’s aide, Adobeye from Benue State, as being present during the meeting.
Kalu also accused Obasanjo of using state institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to persecute political opponents and remove elected governors through what he considered unconstitutional means.
Prison experience made me humbler — Kalu
Reflecting on his six months in prison following his legal battle with the EFCC, Kalu said the experience transformed his outlook on life and made him humbler.
“I was very happy to God, and I learned a lot being there for six months,” he said.
Asked what prison taught him, he replied: “Oh, I learned, it makes me humbler. It made me to realise that life is not the same thing I used to think about.”
The senator maintained that his conviction was unjustified but said Nigerians should respect judicial institutions and pursue appeals where they disagree with court decisions.
I funded PDP’s formation, members later turned against me — Kalu
The former Abia governor also recalled his financial contributions to the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he provided funds, aircraft and logistical support for meetings during the transition from military to civilian rule.
While acknowledging the contributions of other prominent figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and General Theophilus Danjuma, Kalu maintained that he played a significant role in financing the party’s early activities.
“I was the one funding the meetings, aircraft, paying honorariums to people that came for cooking food and all the rest of them. That is the truth,” he said.
He explained that his motivation was to help establish a strong political platform capable of ending military rule.
However, he expressed disappointment over how some party members allegedly treated him after the investment.
“I became a fool before the PDP because after bringing all the money, they turned against me,” he said.
Kalu also claimed that he financially supported Obasanjo after his release from prison, including providing aircraft for his political engagements.
Babangida, Aminu, Chagoury taught me relationship-building
Kalu identified Babangida, the late Professor Jibril Aminu and businessman Gilbert Chagoury as three influential personalities who taught him the importance of maintaining relationships across social, political and economic divides.
“Three men taught me how to cultivate this. One, still alive, his present Ibrahim Babangida. Two, was Professor Jubril Aminu. And the third one was Mr. Gilbert Chagoury,” he said.
According to him, their advice centred on humility, accessibility and treating people equally, irrespective of their social standing.
“They told me that it’s always good to keep people, eat with people. And I maintained that, and this is what I maintained on my life,” he added.
He also recalled his friendship with former South African President Nelson Mandela, who he said introduced him to other prominent South African leaders, including Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
Kalu dismissed allegations linking him to the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel’s Mossad.
“I’m not an agent,” he declared.
Dangote thought I was a fool for seeking governorship
The senator also recalled how Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, reacted when he informed him of his intention to contest the governorship of Abia State.
According to Kalu, Dangote was surprised that he would leave his business interests to venture into Nigerian politics.
“The day I told him I was going to run for governor, he felt I was a fool,” he recalled.
Recounting Dangote’s response, he said: “He said you must be very strong to think about that. He said you will not do that.”
Party loyalty comes before ethnic politics — Kalu
Defending his continued membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kalu dismissed allegations that his political position amounted to a betrayal of Igbo interests.
He insisted that political loyalty should take precedence over ethnic considerations, arguing that Nigerians should be free to support candidates based on their political affiliations.
“I’m an Igbo man by birth. I have saved Igbos and fought for the Igbos,” he said.
He added: “I support Tinubu. I’m in APC. If any Igbo wants to support any other Igbo who is running, that is his business. It’s not my business there. My business is to support in the party where I am. Party loyalty is number one.”
Kalu maintained that national integration required Nigerians to look beyond ethnic affiliations when making political decisions.
Tinubu has stabilised economy, will win 2027 — Kalu
The Abia North senator also defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that the administration had achieved macroeconomic stability despite the economic difficulties confronting households and businesses.
“President Tinubu has been able to stabilise this economy on the macro level. What we’re battling now is the micro level,” he said.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to focus on manufacturing, agriculture, security, job creation and improved living standards to ensure that macroeconomic gains translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Kalu said businesses could now make better financial projections, citing what he described as greater predictability in foreign exchange and fuel prices.
“You can now sit down as a manufacturer, plan, ‘I’m going to buy dollar and so amount, I’m going to sell and so amount.’ You can now plan, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that.’ Before, you cannot plan,” he said.
On the 2027 presidential election, Kalu expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure another term, dismissing suggestions that the President faced a serious electoral challenge.
“President Tinubu will win. President Tinubu have no competition,” he declared.
He attributed the APC’s strength to its nationwide political structure and grassroots support, while calling for political stability and national unity.
I will accept Senate presidency if offered — Kalu
Kalu also addressed speculation about his interest in becoming the next President of the Senate, saying he was not lobbying for the position but would accept it if offered.
He identified God and the APC leadership, particularly Tinubu, as his primary considerations in his political journey.
“If anything is given to me, I will take,” he said.
Asked whether he would accept the Senate presidency if offered in his home, he responded: “If I’m given, if I’m given in my house, I will take. That is the truth.”
He, however, insisted that he had never approached the President to demand the position.
Beyond his personal political ambitions, Kalu promised to groom younger Nigerians for leadership.
“If you allow me in the near future, I will groom younger people to take over from us,” he said.
Journalists enjoy editorial independence, Kalu insists
The senator also defended the editorial independence of journalists working with his media organisations, including The Sun and New Telegraph newspapers.
He denied ever directing journalists to publish stories in support of or against any individual, insisting that editorial decisions were left to newsroom professionals.
“I have never asked any journalist to write for or against anybody. I’ve never asked any journalist to put this story for me,” he said.
He challenged any journalist who had worked in his organisations to provide evidence of editorial interference.
Kalu recalled an occasion when Babangida complained about critical reports published by The Sun, saying he communicated the former military leader’s concerns to the newspaper’s management without instructing the journalists to change their coverage.
Safe Schools probe progressing, Kalu says
On the Senate investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative, which he chairs, Kalu said the committee was making progress but declined to disclose its findings before submitting its report to the Senate.
“Well, we are making progress, and I cannot come here and give you the report until we present it to the Senate of Nigeria and present it to the Senate President who gave us the mandate to do this job,” he said.
He explained that the committee would make its findings public after completing its assignment and formally presenting the report to the Senate.
The senator also reflected on his early life, education at Government College Umuahia and the University of Maiduguri, and his transition from business into politics.
He attributed his achievements to determination, hard work and God’s grace, maintaining that his immediate priority remained legislative duties and contributing to national development.
