It was a day like no other on Sunday, December 27, 2020, when former Abia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu dragged his former political foes, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to his country home in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The event, was the 10th-year thanksgiving memorial service for Orji Kalu’s father, Late Chief Johnson Uzor Nsiegbe Kalu, who died in the year 2010 at the age of 70 years.
Although the event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, the main focus was Senator Theodore Orji, the immediate past Governor of Abia State and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Kalu’s erstwhile Deputy, when he was Governor of the State.
Kalu had fallen apart with Senator Theodore Orji, his former Chief of Staff, who he handpicked as his successor, midway into Orji’s first term. Indeed, both men have been political enemies in the last 10 years. The rivalry was so fierce that Kalu left the PDP, the ruling party in Abia State, which is in firm grips of Sen. Theodore Orji.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is the Senate Minority Whip, fell out with Orji Kalu over 16 years ago, while he was Kalu’s Deputy. A staunch member of the PDP, he had also supported Sen. Theodore Orji in the fight against their erstwhile boss.
So, it was indeed a family reunion when the duo arrived Orji Kalu’s home on Sunday to join him celebrate his late father. It was the first time, Abians were seeing their three senators together at a social event after their long years of political enmity.
The Thanksgiving and memorial service was presided over by the Prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Nzie Nsi.
Another major attraction at the event was the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan. Lawan bagged the chieftaincy title of ‘Nwanne di na Mba 1’ (Brother in Diaspora) from the Igbere Crowned Council of Ndi Eze, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Other dignitaries who graced the event included: President Muhammadu Buhari represented by Minister of State for Steel and Mines, Dr. Uche Ogah; Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodinma; Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, among several others.
