Two former governors of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief TA Orji, attacked themselves with words over who did what during their tenures at different times.
The two former state chef executives launched attack on each other during the burial ceremony of the former Secretary to the Government (SSG), Dr Elekwachi Nwogbo at the Ntalakwu Secondary School, Oboro, in Ikwuano Local Government Area, venue of the burial
Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, who stormed the venue of the burial with his brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu and bus loads of his supporters, praised the departed man and said that while he (Uzor Kalu) was governor, the late Dr Nwogbo helped him to ensure that workers and pensioners were taken care of instead of suffering with no hope.
He said that Abia State stopped working after he left the government and since then no other Governor has been able to do as well as he did.
Governor T A OrjiHowever, the immediate past Governor of the State and Senator representing Abia central senatorial zone, Senator T .A Orji, praised the work ethics of the departed former SSG who worked with him while he was serving as Chief of Staff in the government, led by Orji Uzor Kalu.
Senator Orji who attended the event with his wife also launched a counter attack by saying: “if there is nothing else, I achieved as Governor of Abia State. I can at least, beat my chest and say I ended idol worship in this state.
“On my watch, Commissioners and appointees didn’t have to go to Okija or any other shrine to pledge allegiance to me and my mother or wife. Even the inherited debts and outstanding salaries/pensions were largely settled and I left the state as one of the least indebted in the country while adding many legacy projects that Abia people are enjoying to date.
“It is on record that I am the only elected former Governor of this state that our people massively elected to represent them at the senate whereas others have tried many times and were rejected by our people.”
Both political gladiators received loud applauses from their supporters at the event which featured the Who is who in Abia politics from 1999 to date. [myad]
