By Rubby Obinna
The world stood still on May 16 2016, as a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu appeared before a Federal High Court superintended by Justice Anuli Chikere.
Everywhere one went to it was the issue of Kalu that they discussed, showing how important he is. The media was awash as the issue became a subject of discourse all over the spectrum of the media.
Callers on radio were numerous, likewise those on TV. All talked about the great and indefatigable Dr. Kalu: Mmiri nyiri ehi, Emetu mba ahu dike, Ariri eri mba.
Before the appearance in court, the quarters of his political foes that wanted him dead or imprisoned, had sang dirge for him. However, as the saying goes, “Man proposes, God deposes”, Kalu came back home alive and was not imprisoned, because the matter was stalled, therefore putting disgrace on the faces of those who had been orchestrating his downfall.
The matter was stalled, as according to media reports, the brilliant Justice Anuli Chikere who superintended over the matter at a Federal High court did not waste time to inform the world and by extension, the rivals of the international business magnet, saying, “I could not go on with the case when an aspect of the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court.”
Conversely, as a cool headed man, Kalu accepted with dedication and pride in order to prove his innocence to the world, the distraction called corruption case that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought against him in 2007.
Kalu was not angry before and after the May 16 appearance in court. Many had thought that the matter would muffle his voice, but the Igbere-born master strategist’s voice resonated and echoed beyond the shores of Nigeria.
The henchman being Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo who wanted Kalu nailed by any means possible was the first to receive Kalu’s verdict of corrupt persons on his index. Kalu told him in a well publicized press briefing that Obasanjo is corrupt.
He recently told the world that the governors of states in Nigeria use N35m for their personal trips and that they rule their states with pride and ego. Kalu also told Cameron of Britain to tender his unreserved apology to Nigeria for (Cameron’s) derogatory statement calling Nigeria corrupt.
Kalu also said that the illegally detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, there were people who have committed heinous crimes than any person or group might presume Kanu had done.
Opponents could not foil Kalu’s voice, they could not cage him, they could not defeat him, they could not buy him over; oh! Kalu continues to burgeon beyond the level the charlatans wanted him to be.
He continues to swim out from the murky waters of Nigerian politics. He is a man! While his opponents are playing local corruption charges against him, the USA and the rest of the world knew that Kalu is being politically victimized.
But Kalu does not need anybody’s help to tell the truth. He only wants the West to help in publishing the names of Nigerians with huge sums of money abroad; those whose sources of wealth are questionable.
Today, nice things are occurring to Kalu. The world is celebrating Kalu. He is a winner from any angle any person or group may be looking at it from. He has dared mighty things; likewise, some persons have dared him as a mighty person he is.
He has won glorious triumphs putting the little spirits of his political rivals who neither know victory nor progress into shame. One joyous thing about Kalu is that he is a man who does not go for victory at all cost; he believes in a procedural attainment of victory to teach the world a lesson that a man could be financially rich, yet down to earth.
The secret that has won Kalu many victories is his belief in unity, when others wanted division. He does not attack to gain victory; he does not go oblivion in defence. He is always conspicuous. Kalu is persevering.
And victory goes to such people. It would be advisable to tell his political opponents who are working round the clock in seeing to his downfall to desist. His destiny is like the saying, “History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics.”
Their self-serving agenda against Kalu will not work, as they can see. The world is celebrating Kalu because he is a man of self-discipline. This is his first victory over himself. He has conquered himself and will continue to win those who have not but want to conquer Kalu in order for the world to see them as conquerors of a thousand battles. While they try, victory is Kalu’s.