By Ismail OMIPIDAN
Before I joined The Sun Newspapers in May 2003, I had heard stories of how reporters lost their jobs for doing stories considered inimical to the interests of the their publishers/Chairmen. My experience, however, has been markedly different, in what I consider both rare and instructive. I will share just two examples
First, when Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, then governor of Borno State, felt my report was too dangerous for him to condon, he reported me to my publisher. When Senator Orji Uzor Kalu visited Maiduguri, I was summoned for a meeting involving the three of us. As I left that meeting, I felt that was the end of my stay at The Sun. Surprisingly, nothing happened. Not even a query. When I was reported a second time, the publisher simply asked management to handle the matter. Eventually, I was redeployed from Borno, not as punishment, but for my safety after being declared persona non grata by the governor. To this day, I remain a reporter with The Sun.
Secondly, during his face-off with former Abia Governor HE Okezie Ikpeazu, I visited the state multiple times. I produced reports, news features, and even conducted interviews, all without any reprimand from my chairman. It is for these reasons that I have chosen to pay tribute to him on the occasion of his birthday.
Kalu is a phenomenon. The story of how he became a multi-billionaire in his 30s, long before going into politics, is well known in Nigeria, just as the story of how one of the former leaders of Nigeria suddenly became a billionaire only after leaving office, is well documented, both by Nigerian journalists and the country’s historians.
Ironically, while Orji Uzor Kalu, whose sources of wealth were publicly known before he became governor in 1999, has faced allegations of fraud, the said former leader continues to walk freely.
Kalu was also the first to earn the accolade “Action Governor” during his first term from 1999 to 2003. Notably, it was former President Olusegun Obasanjo who described him as such, in recognition of his developmental strides in Abia State at the time. However, by the time Kalu returned for a second term, the songs and dancing steps had changed due to political differences.
Kalu was one of the over 20 PDP governors who, at the time, rallied behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a bid to deny President Olusegun Obasanjo a second-term ticket. However, following intense pressure from senior party figures, the governors eventually backed down, clearing the way for Obasanjo’s re-election. With his return to office, Obasanjo drew clear battle lines against perceived political adversaries, among whom Orji Uzor Kalu was prominent.
Kalu’s situation with Obasanjo became even more complicated due to his leading role in opposing the controversial third-term agenda. Unlike some governors who privately resisted the move while publicly appearing supportive, Kalu maintained a consistent and outspoken stance against it. He not only campaigned openly but also mobilised resources and leveraged his international connections to raise concerns among African and global leaders. His objective, as he framed it, was to dissuade the presidency from pursuing a path he believed could destabilise the country and potentially trigger avoidable national unrest.
Again, Kalu dared Obasanjo, and contested against his preferred candidate in a presidential contest, that saw Kalu coming third, trailing behind former President Muhammadu Buhari, a candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In the said contest in 2007, Kalu, who contested on the platform of his Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), which was just a few months old, garnered over five million votes. His party was also able to win the governorship seats in Abia and Imo states, which put into office, Chief Theodore Amaefule (TA) Orji and Chief Ikedi Ohakim respectively. But the duo later dumped the PPA and joined the PDP.
The Abia governorship victory in that 2007 election was phenomenal, as the candidate, TA Orji, was not available for campaign, during the electioneering. He was held by the EFCC, an action believed to have been orchestrated by the then presidency to ensure that the PDP candidate, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu win the governorship election. Yet, Kalu secured victory for TA Orji at the poll. You will agree with me that Kalu, is indeed a phenomenon.
Sir Orji Uzor Kalu, as you clock 66 today, I pray for God’s continued guidance, protection, and good health over your life. May your years ahead be filled with greater wisdom, strength, and prosperity.
I also pray that The Sun, the legacy you have built, will outlive you and continue to make meaningful impact in Nigeria and beyond.
Happy birthday to you, sir!*Omipidan, an Abuja-based journalist, is an associate member of NIPR, an author and a public affairs analyst.
