The Chief Whip of the outgoing 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Saturday, during the Valedictory session to mark the end of the 9th Senate cried out for being called a thief in the country despite his contribution to nation-building, saying that Nigeria has not been fair to its leaders and citizens.
The former Abia State governor thanked the 9th Senate for standing by him during his difficult times.
He said, “When I had a problem, most of the Senators stood by me. We went through a difficult period,” Kalu said during an emotional speech.
“Before I went into politics, I can buy anything I wanted to buy. I am not a thief.
“People I gave transport money to Victoria Island (VI) are now in wealth and living as saints while I am being called a thief.
The 9th Senate having completed its four-year term is at the moment carrying out a Valedictory session where the Senators are having the opportunity to speak their minds on their stay in the Upper Chamber
The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan who declared the event opened said that the session was a special one against the backdrop that it would be used by the Senators to make remarks on the journey that started on 11th June 2019 and ended today.
The motion to begin the process was moved by the leader of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, APC, Sokoto East to start the valedictory session to mark the end of the 9th Senate, the motion was seconded by the Minority leader, Senator Philip Aduda, PDP, FCT.
Leading the presentation, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, APC, Delta Central who urged the returning Senators to support the incoming leaders of the Senate to achieve good governance, said that he is satisfied with his conscience that the 9th Senate returned the annual budgeting cycles from January to December, passed the Petroleum Industry Act and ensured that the Electoral Act 2023 is there for the conduct of credible elections.
In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC, Borno Central told the Senators- elect to have in their minds that the stability of Nigeria was greater than the stability of their pockets and asked them to vote wisely during the election of Presiding officers for the progress of the country.
Shettima said, “As we bid farewell to this chapter, let us remember that our journey has just begun. For some of us, a new chapter beckons. As the mantle of leadership passes into fresh hands, those who will continue this noble calling, I extend my sincere congratulations.
“To my colleagues who will depart this chamber, I address you not as colleagues left behind, but as friends who have become an integral part of my history.
“We have served shoulder to shoulder in the face of adversity and worked relentlessly for the betterment of our nation.
“To my incoming colleagues, I will leave you with a parable, ‘the stability of this nation is superior to the stability of our pockets’. On Tuesday, let us vote wisely, let us vote for the Nigerian nation.”
Watch Orji Kalu’s video below:
9th Senate: Orji Kalu cries out “I am not a thief, this country is not fair to some of us” pic.twitter.com/VutdoOee9e
— AIT (@AIT_Online) June 10, 2023