Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has slammed those mocking him for going to prison, saying prominent personalities like the Biblical Joseph and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were also in prison at one time in their lives.
Kalu, who is a former Governor of Abia State, stated this while reacting to comments made by incumbent Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
The ex-governor had taken a swipe at the incumbent administration in Abia, stating that the road projects in the state were either being executed by the Federal Government or the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Replying Kalu, Ikpeazu and Abaribe reportedly said that the ex-governor was still suffering from the experience of his six-month incarceration.
But speaking on a Monday night event, the Senator representing Abia North said the prison term was part of his “life script”.
He added that neither Ikpeazu nor Abaribe could match his dedication to his constituents.
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“This is 10pm and I am here with you, can the Governor or Abaribe come here? That is why in leadership, you have to be with the people you are leading,
“But they don’t understand this simple technique, all the projects they claim to be doing are all on radio, nothing on the ground. Joseph went to prison, even Obasanjo went to prison.
“My going to prison is part of my life script and I am thankful God allowed it,” Kalu said.
A Federal High Court had sentenced the ex-governor to a 12-year prison in December 2019 for N7.1 billion fraud.
He was however given a lifeline when the Supreme Court on May 8, 2020, voided his trial and ordered a retrial.