Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has reaffirmed his Igbo identity and historical ties to the late Biafran leader, General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stating that his commitment to the Igbo cause is rooted in personal experience and long-standing relationships.
The Abia North senator made these remarks during a recent interview on Arise News with renowned journalist and commentator, Dr. Reuben Abati, where issues of Igbo politics, history, and identity were discussed.
Responding to questions that appeared to challenge his stance on Igbo affairs, Senator Kalu made it clear that his background and actions speak for themselves. “Dr. Abati, I’m a well-blooded Igbo,” he declared, emphasizing that his connection to Igbo history and leadership is neither superficial nor recent. According to him, his views are shaped by close interactions with key figures in Igbo and Nigerian history.
The senator revealed that he maintained a close personal relationship with General Ojukwu during the latter’s final years, describing moments of regular interaction and mutual respect. “I was with Ojukwu in the late days of his life, and Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu can testify to this,” Kalu said. He explained that his visits to the late general were frequent and meaningful, reflecting a bond that went beyond politics into friendship and trust.
Senator Kalu further recounted how the relationship was reciprocal, noting that General Ojukwu also visited him personally. “I was always coming to the General, and the General was also coming to my village to stay two to three days,” he stated. These visits, he said, allowed for deep conversations about the Igbo people, Nigeria, and the lessons of history, especially in relation to the Nigerian Civil War.
Sharing a personal reflection, Senator Kalu disclosed a piece of advice he said he received directly from Ojukwu. “Ojukwu told me that the first one was necessary, that the second one is no longer necessary,” he recalled, a statement widely interpreted as a call for caution against repeating the painful experiences of the past. According to Kalu, this message underscores the need for dialogue and political solutions rather than conflict.
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