The Senate vacant seat and position reserved
for Orji Uzor Kalu’s during his time in jail was denied by Senate President,
Dr. Ahmad Lawan yesterday.
for Orji Uzor Kalu’s during his time in jail was denied by Senate President,
Dr. Ahmad Lawan yesterday.
Lawan told Abia State leaders about
the fact that the Senate’s efforts to preserve Kalu ‘s seat and position were
not unusual.
the fact that the Senate’s efforts to preserve Kalu ‘s seat and position were
not unusual.
At the National Assembly in Abuja the
delegation of thought leaders appreciated the Senate and its leadership for
demonstrating their concerns about Kalu during his prison term.
delegation of thought leaders appreciated the Senate and its leadership for
demonstrating their concerns about Kalu during his prison term.
Kalu was the Senate Chief Whip when a
Lagos court convicted him of fraud committed between 1999 and 2007, and
sentenced him to 12 years in prison in December 2019.
Lagos court convicted him of fraud committed between 1999 and 2007, and
sentenced him to 12 years in prison in December 2019.
Kalu spent six months in jail until he
eventually returned to the Senate following the judgment of the Supreme Court,
which overturned his conviction on the grounds that the trial judge lacked
competence.
eventually returned to the Senate following the judgment of the Supreme Court,
which overturned his conviction on the grounds that the trial judge lacked
competence.
Lawan said, “There was no way anyone
in the Senate could convince us that someone should sit in Abia North because
it was not vacant.”
in the Senate could convince us that someone should sit in Abia North because
it was not vacant.”
He (Kalu) was in many appeals and this
seat remained his seat until he had exhausted all possible opportunities.
seat remained his seat until he had exhausted all possible opportunities.
We didn’t even name an acting Chief
Whip, like the Chief Whip. Until he was released, Deputy Chief Whip continued
to play that role.
Whip, like the Chief Whip. Until he was released, Deputy Chief Whip continued
to play that role.
Naturally, we came under pressure.
Nevertheless, we felt that the best thing to do was to hold his position,
before his decision was reached.
Nevertheless, we felt that the best thing to do was to hold his position,
before his decision was reached.
Its seat vacancy or position would
have been premature, unfair and unfair because it was in that situation.
have been premature, unfair and unfair because it was in that situation.
So, we really did nothing unusual.
We’ve done what’s right, just, what’s needed.
We’ve done what’s right, just, what’s needed.
The Senate President praised the
leaders for their union and understanding amongst them and their supporters in
his speech on the bi-partite composition of the group.
leaders for their union and understanding amongst them and their supporters in
his speech on the bi-partite composition of the group.
I have not seen or heard for a long
time the kind of unity, understanding and desire for a two-party state forward.
time the kind of unity, understanding and desire for a two-party state forward.
Our people need us to show leadership
to them. You need good governance from us. You want better life and you have a
lot of business people, particularly in the state of Abia. We want their
companies to expand and do well.
to them. You need good governance from us. You want better life and you have a
lot of business people, particularly in the state of Abia. We want their
companies to expand and do well.
If the members are aligned, it makes the
following much easier to remain together and cooperative, so that it is very
possible to hit the promise land, “said Lawan.
following much easier to remain together and cooperative, so that it is very
possible to hit the promise land, “said Lawan.
Senator Chris Adighije, head of the
delegation, said that the visit would benefit the senate and lead the
ex-Governor in his concerns.
delegation, said that the visit would benefit the senate and lead the
ex-Governor in his concerns.
Ndighije said, “We want to thank the
Senate for that. It’s something that is greatly appreciated by the entire Abia
State and the South East Indeed.”
Senate for that. It’s something that is greatly appreciated by the entire Abia
State and the South East Indeed.”
