Kalu, Orji rift deepens

By Anayo Okoli
Umuahia—AS the political feud between former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji  Kalu, and his successor, Theodore Orji, deepens, the two prominent indigenes of the state who signed the bail bond that freed Kalu from EFCC detention, Senator Uche Chukwumerije and a traditional ruler, Eze Gaius Ihejiamaizu, have written to the anti-corruption agency and courts, seeking to withdraw their signature.

Former Governor Kalu was detained by the anti-graft agency for alleged corrupt enrichment of himself while in office as the governor of Abia State.

This move, Vanguard learnt, was to make way for the EFCC to re-arrest the former governor and cage him from partaking in the coming elections, as it is feared in the state that Kalu’s influence could still make the ruling party lose the state, more so when it is being speculated that all the main opposition parties in the state are planning to come together and face PDP as a common enemy.

Under this alliance, it is believed that Kalu would put in everything within his disposal to ensure that Governor Theodore Orji did not retain the seat as the governor, as he sees the recent break-away of the governor as a big challenge to his political kingdom.

Senator Chukwumerije and Eze Ihejiamaizu, now very close allies of Governor Orji, were said to have approached the EFCC to withdraw their sureties as those who signed the bail bond for the former governor.

The action, they believe, would pose problem to the former governor.
Eze Ihejiamaizu, the traditional ruler of Mbutu-Ukwu Kingdom in Isiala Ngwa South council area, was said to have claimed that he had not been relating with the former governor since he was granted bail, saying he stood surety for him because of the confidence he had in him then.

Ihejiamaizu disclosed that he deposited his certificate of recognition as a traditional ruler to the deputy chief register of the High Court on August 1, 2007, in order to effect the bail of the former governor.

“I no longer have confidence in the person of the former governor, Orji Kalu, and will not stand as surety for him anymore, as I have not been relating with him and can no longer vouch for him, being unaware of his movements and actions,” the royal father said in a letter written by his lawyers.

Ihejiamaizu prayed the court to discharge him from the surety in the interest of justice and return his certificate of recognition as a traditional ruler to him.

Senator Chukwumereije, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, also claimed that he was withdrawing his surety for Kalu on account of the unexpected lingering of the matter.

He wrote through his lawyer, Onyedika Offor.