I’m Not a Politician, I’ve Never Benefited From Politics – Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

Despite his long career in public service, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu insists he is not a politician and claims he has never personally gained from politics. The former Abia State governor and current senator representing Abia North stated that his true identity lies in business, not politics.

Speaking in a recent interview, Kalu emphasized that he was already a successful businessman before venturing into governance. According to him, he has continued to establish businesses that create employment for Nigerians, even while serving in public office.

“I made so much money under 24,” he said. “I did not benefit anything from being a governor. I brought the money they used in forming the PDP. Ask any PDP member — I brought most of the money they used in 1998 and 1999.”

Kalu, who governed Abia State from 1999 to 2007, claimed that he used his personal wealth to fund the state’s affairs and the founding of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said he donated $1 million to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s campaign and gave the party a staggering ₦500 million.

When asked how he was able to raise such funds, he attributed it to his thriving businesses at the time.

“I was the biggest importer of rice, sugar, confectioneries, and other products. I was also selling petrol,” he said. “Then, the dollar was big money. The only few people who could have contributed money back then were TY Danjuma and Atiku Abubakar. Others had nothing to bring — that’s the truth.”

Reaffirming his claim of gaining nothing from politics, Kalu said his political career has, in fact, cost him significantly.

“The Federal Government took a lot of my businesses. So, for me, politics has been more dangerous than beneficial,” he said.