In continuation of his peace tour across the country, former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzo Kalu, was in Benue State where he had an audience with the state chief executive, Governor Gabriel Suswam. Shortly after the visit, the former governor spoke to journalists on some topical national issues bordering on the current security challenges in some parts of the country, the abduction of Chibok girls, the ongoing national confab and above all his relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. KULA TERSOO reports
On the issue of the abducted Chibok girls, would you suggest negotiation with the Boko Haram sect or military force?
No, government should use formal and informal negotiation, it is allowed. The United States and other countries do that. Government, if they have the opportunity should engage Boko Haram and get the girls released. Those girls are more precious than anything. In fact, the release of those girls is my dream and I want to see it happen now. If we use force we might hurt the girls. All we need to do is to gather intelligence and do the right thing. That is just the only way out and anything short of this will not be good for us
What is your take on the ongoing national confab? Do you think it can tackle all the issues in this country?
It is a good initiative. It is a good thing for people to come together and talk and by talking, we would be able to address some issues. I think it is better for us and I hope we will manage the conference as well as it outcome very well.
You were known in Nigeria politics as a controversial governor and now, you are touring the entire country preaching peace. May we know what necessitated this change in you?
I was a very young governor then. Remember, I became governor at 38 years. I was very vibrant and active. But now I am an elder. I am no longer a youth. So you can now see that we need to preserve our nation. Other nations are coming together so why must we tear apart?. So, I need to go around because some of our governors, like I discussed with Governor Suswam, do understand that the unity of the country is more important than their governorship seat. You must have a country before you have a governor and must have a nation before you have a President. These are the things we are going about preaching. Like when I said that President Jonathan may be the last president of Nigerian republic, people did not take it lightly with me. I received a lot of bashing but that is the truth. This is how it started in other parts of the world. So, we need to come back as a people and be more serious.
Sir, but you seem to be speaking in riddles. Are you saying that other parts of the nation may secede?
Not seceding but disintegration like it happened in some parts of the world. I am not speaking in riddles. When I said that Jonathan may be the last President of a united Nigeria, I need not speak in riddles. It is a clear message.
You had an estranged relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Have you forgiven him for all that he did to you?
I have always forgiven him but I will not forget what he did to my business because those businesses employed Nigerians. He would have for the sake of Nigerians not touch on people’s businesses when the issues were political. I have forgiven him. He is our father and a strong leader who loves the country dearly but the only bad aspect of him is that he does not forgive. I have forgiven him. He is an elder and I cannot hold anything against an elder like Obasanjo. Never, I cannot hold anything against anybody. I live a very free and quiet life and understand where anyone is going to.
