Periscope: noun. an optical instrument for viewing objects that are above the level of direct sight or in an otherwise obstructed field of vision.
PREAMBLE:
“In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people.” ~ Nelson Mandela
“You can gain reconciliation from your enemies, but you can only gain peace from yourself.” ~ Rubin Carter
Theodore Ahamefula Orji:
Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji, formerly a career civil servant who served in Government House, Umuahia, Bureau of Budget and Planning and Ministry of Agriculture and served as the Chief of Staff to Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu became the 8th Governor of Abia State from May 29th 2007 to May 29th 2015.
In December 2006, Senator Thoeodore Orji won the gubernatorial primaries of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to contest the 2007 governorship elections in Abia State.
On April 14, 2007, he resoundingly defeated his closest rival by over 200,000 votes to emerge Governor of Abia State. He thus made history as being the first Governor in the History of Nigeria to win his election while in detention.
He was sworn in on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 as the 3rd Executive Governor of Abia, Gods Own State
Orji Uzor Kalu:
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu served as the Governor of Abia State, Nigeria from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007. Prior to his election, he served as the chairman of the Borno Water Board and the chairman of the Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited.
Prior to the end of the Second term of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission Specifically in October 2006 declared Sixteen Officials Serving under the Government of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu wanted.
The declaration was not unconnected to the cold war that was In place at that time between Former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Orji Uzor Kalu over the Former’s 3rd Term Presidential ambition.
Among those declared wanted by the EFCC at that time was Senator Theodore Orji, the then Chief of Staff, Mrs Eunice Uzor Kalu, Hon Mascot Ikwechegh Kalu a Lawmaker then among others.
While the EFCC stated that Sixteen Government Officials of the Abia State Government were wanted for corruption and money laundering, Senator Orji Kalu Declared that the Obasanjo-led government was using the EFCC to harass his appointees because of his refusal to mobilise Support for the Ex- president’s third term ambition.
In an interview with Daily Sun in Lagos in 2006, Senaor Orji Kalu disclosed: “I knew this would happen when during the third term debate, “So, this is just a continuation of the third term agenda, a new scheme is coming up. They want to weaken all opposition so that Mr President can stay on in office.”
THE ISSUES:
It is pertinent that we assimilate the above records to counter the notion that the travails of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu started during the administration of Senator Theodore Orji, as a Chief of Staff ,we know the enormous powers and responsibilities that a Chief of Staff to a Governor or even a President could wade, at the expiration of his second Term in Office, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu needed a Trusted ally who had mastered the coins and fully abreast with the details of the Government House, he found those qualities on the Person of Senator Theodore Orji which prompted mobilization of resources with the Support of other Critical Stakeholders in the Abia Project and overwhelming Votes of Abia Electorates for Senator Theodore Orji to become the Governor Of Abia State in 2007.
However, it is expected that Politics which major drive is Personal and Group interest, quarrels, alignment and realignment must exist, whatever that happened between these Abia Fathers all happened in given credence to the rhythm of Politics.
It is generally believed and popularly stated that in Politics, there are no Permanent Enemies but Permanent Interest.
The Reconciliatory moves or otherwise the Reconciliation of the Two Fathers of Abia Political Trajectory must be commended by all lovers of peace irrespective Political leanings and divide, this is that time in the history of our Political Life, to experience greater development and Support to grow the economy of Abia, Gods Own State.
The Visit of the Senator Representing Abia Central Senatorial District Senator Theodore Orji accompanied by his Wife to the Senator Representing Abia North Senatorial District Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has indeed sent a positive signal that indeed peace is the only tool that is priceless.
The Last Time these two Leaders sat down within an environment before their Convergence to the 9th Senate was in 2017 during the burial of a Former Secretary to the Abia State Government the Late Dr Elekwachi Nwogbo in Ikwuano, the event of that Day was not pleasing, however only God who knows tomorrow knew that a day like this will come when these two Great Abians and Leaders shall sit in one Building, each making Laws for the Greater good of Abia State.
This is not a time to Reflect of what Party A did to Party B, or what Party B did to Party A, this is that time in the history of our Political Life as Proud Citizens of Abians to hail the two Leaders for Courage to come together for the peace of the State.
God is the over knowing God, who knew the Damascus experience he showed to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during his Six Months incarceration at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja?, who also knew the message God delivered to Senator Theodore Orji that made him to go with his Wife to the home of the Man who Supported him immensely to be the Governor of Abia State in 2007?
These and many mor, are the Reason while we need to allow the will of God on the Lives of these two Fathers of Abia State to prevail, for those who feed majorly during political crises, the best thing is to look for a better Business to Invest on because Peace has Returned to Abia.
Abia Speakers Visit:
On the 16th of June 2020, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji paid a visit to the Former Governor of Abia State now Senator Representing Abia North Senatorial District Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his Abuja Residence.
The Speaker was not the only High Profile Politician from Abia State that has Visited the Former Abia State Governor since his Release from the Kuje Correctional Centre Abuja.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Theodore Orji, Hon Uko Nkole, Hon Darlington Nwokocha, Hon Sam Onuigbo and other Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) had all publicly or privately visited Senator Orji Uzor Kalu since his Release from the Kuje Prison.
It’s Really shocking that the Speaker’s Visit is now a subject of Misinterpretation with people adducing their emotional Reasons to it.
The Speaker’s Visit is in Order, there has been an attempt to force some words into his Mouth.
This is not the First time those calling for the Speaker to step down will be doing so, in February 2020 the same elements Sponsored all manner of Media Publications , Protests, all in a bid to incite the Public against the person of the Rt Hon Chinedum Orji and Force him to resign as Speaker.
It is very laughable that the same elements are now calling for the to resign simply because he visited the Former Governor of Abia State.
The Statement being Circulated obviously did not emanate from the Speaker because non of his Media aides carried those words the naysayers are now using for Propaganda.
But if the Speaker must Step Down, then Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Theodore Orji, Hon Darlington Nwokocha, Hon Uko Nkole, Hon Sam Onuigbo must all step down accordingly.
CONCLUSION:
Peace is Priceless, what we need in Abia is peace which process has been facilitated by Senator Theodore Orji and the Abia Speaker Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji by reconciling with the Former Governor of Abia State Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Promise Uzoma Okoro is a Publisher based in Umuahia Abia State, He wrote Via puouzoma@gmail.com
