Bishop Silas Eke, a cleric from Abia State, has expressed his support for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, stating that recent statements from stakeholders in the Arochukwu and Ohafia Local Government Areas have cleared the former Governor of Abia State of any wrongdoing.
Bishop Eke clarified that Senator Kalu was not engaged in a political dispute with Governor Alex Otti. Instead, he corrected the Governor’s assertion during the flag-off of the Arochukwu-Ohafia Highway reconstruction. Senator Kalu emphasized that the road was not abandoned by political leaders, as Governor Otti claimed; rather, it was originally constructed during the Abacha regime, with local leaders such as Professor Chimere Ikeokwu, a board member of the PTF, and Mr. Ochi Achinuvu, a senior director, playing significant roles.
Bishop Eke also acknowledged the contributions of Senator Kalu and others, including Hon. Uko Nkole and Mr. Uche Orji, who were instrumental in the road’s construction and rehabilitation.
The cleric criticized Governor Otti for attempting to take credit for the road project while overlooking the efforts of others. He pointed out inconsistencies between the Governor’s statements and those made by his Commissioner for Works, indicating a lack of transparency.
In conclusion, Bishop Eke noted that prominent stakeholders, including Chief Ndubuisi Eme, Rev. Samson Okoro Elekwa, and others, have reaffirmed Senator Kalu’s position on the matter.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is not in a political battle with Governor Alex Otti. I don’t believe that to be the case. Senator Kalu merely corrected the impression created by Governor Otti, who suggested that political leaders abandoned the road for years. First of all, M. I. Okpara did not construct the road; it was built during Abacha’s regime, with Buhari as the Head of PTF.
“Our brothers, Prof. Chimere Ikeokwu, a board member of PTF, and Mr. Ochi Achinuvu, a top civil servant at that time, facilitated its construction. Senator Kalu also mentioned that he undertook palliative work on the road during his tenure as governor, which is well-documented. He played a significant role alongside the then Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Mr. Uche Orji, and Hon. Uko Nkole to ensure the road was repaired. These individuals are alive and made critical contributions, so it is unfair not to acknowledge their efforts while Governor Otti tries to present himself as the savior.
“Hon. Uko Nkole, from Abam Onyerubi and a former House of Representatives member, has spoken out about the road project and successfully advocated for it to be included in the budget.
“Additionally, his aides revealed that the road is approximately 27KM long, according to a document from the Federal Ministry of Works. Consequently, the inconsistencies in the statements from Governor Otti and his Commissioner for Works indicate that we are facing challenges in Abia State.
“Chief Fred Eke Idika, a former Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area, has also spoken out to set the record straight. Engr. Emmanuel Nwosu, the Ohafia Local Government Area APC Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Eme, Rev. Samson Okoro Elekwa, and other prominent stakeholders have supported former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu,” he said.
