Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of abandoning him despite his alleged financial contributions towards the formation and sustenance of the party.
Kalu made the allegation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, claiming that he spent substantial sums of money financing party meetings, chartering aircraft, paying honorariums and providing meals for participants when the PDP was experiencing financial difficulties.
He said his financial commitment was driven by his determination to establish a formidable political platform that would help bring military rule in Nigeria to an end.
The former governor also disclosed that he supported former President Olusegun Obasanjo financially after his release from prison, including arranging aircraft for his movements.
Kalu said he felt betrayed by the party, alleging that despite his contributions, the PDP failed to recognise his sacrifices and subsequently turned against him, a development he claimed negatively affected his business interests.
“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 maintained that he started providing financial support to the party before prominent political figures and wealthy individuals joined in contributing to its activities.
“I brought in the money to form the party before bigwigs like you went and started bringing money to support the party. I started bringing money, started funding like President Obasanjo when he came out of prison,” he said.
According to Kalu, Obasanjo stayed at his residence following his release from prison, during which he provided financial assistance and arranged aircraft for the former president’s movements.
He dismissed suggestions that his eventual emergence as governor was a reward from the PDP for his financial contributions, insisting that he could have secured the governorship position through another political platform.
“What I got in return is killing off my businesses,” he said.
The former governor also spoke about his longstanding relationship with former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, describing him as a former military president whom he continues to respect.
However, Kalu denied receiving any financial benefits from the relationship, maintaining that their association was based on friendship and goodwill.
