Former governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), has dismissed claims that his wealth was acquired through political offices, insisting that he was already a wealthy man before the advent of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999.

Kalu, who served two consecutive terms as Abia State governor from 1999 to 2007, was reportedly responding to allegations suggesting that he purchased a mansion in the United States as a result of his political influence in Nigeria. He described such assertions as “unfortunate, fallacious, and an insult” to his economic stature.

Taking to his verified Facebook page on Thursday night, Kalu highlighted his extensive business and political networks prior to 1999, emphasizing that his position before the military handed over power to civilians enabled him to play a decisive role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

“OUK was not made after he became governor from 1998. It’s on record that OUK was a major political player even before the Third Republic,” Kalu wrote. He detailed that during the formation of political parties that eventually took over from military rule, he provided his palatial home at No. 1 Adeleke, Victoria Island, Lagos, as a venue to sponsor groups from the West, North, and East, which later coalesced into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Kalu also outlined his business achievements before assuming political office, noting his dominance in the maritime sector through ownership of numerous commercial ships, his role in banking across Nigeria and West Africa, and his presence in aviation through Slok Airlines. Additionally, he cited his founding of the Slok Group, which operated manufacturing industries in Apapa, Aba, Igbere, and other parts of West Africa.

Highlighting his political independence and influence, Kalu noted that following his tenure as governor in 2007, he was one of only two leaders, alongside then-Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, capable of starting a political party the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) which won in two South-East states, Abia and Imo, in 2007.

“Therefore, for some people to indulge in any mischief suggesting that OUK may have bought the America house because he was a governor is, to say the least, unfortunate, fallacious, and an insult to my economic stature,” he said. “OUK has been one of Nigeria’s old money men for over three and a half decades. No matter what political opponents may say, this man has made his mark in this country and is an accomplished achiever in every ramification.”

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