[Photo Left: Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu ]
Antagonists, propagandists and rumor peddlers cleared their voices and drew their pens as Governor Orji Kalu of Abia State flew into London Sunday, January 29, 2006. They regurgitated and rehearsed their plans to trumpet news of trouble for the governor in the U.K. Nigerian dailies had in the past months carried news of planned arrest of unnamed Nigerian governors upon visit to U.K. The description of one of the governors fitted that of Governor Orji Kalu. Propaganda and rumor resonated air-waves, transmitting through 'radios without batteries' in Nigerian towns and communities at different frequencies. The fact that Governor Kalu had earlier been cleared in the U.S. did not help matters as bad politics does not seek the truth.

Kalu arrived London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 aboard British Airways Flight 082 from Abuja in company of Gov. Kure of Niger State and the Minister for Health, Professor Lambo. In London it was a red-carpet reception for the action governor as he spoke on the hostage situation in Nigeria and later held talks with officials of the British Foreign Ministry. Addressing a press conference, Kalu said there was no terrorism in Nigeria, and pleaded with oil companies not to be discouraged by the recent hostage crisis in the country. He said the kidnapped oil workers would be released soon, as Nigeria was doing everything possible to ensure their release. Kalu promised to bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta region and the country in general if elected president in 2007.

Political pundits described Governor Kalu's U.K. visit as a triumphant echo in his march to the 2007 election. On the same day he spoke on the release of the hostages they where released and flown to meet President Obasanjo. The action governor spoke and it immediately happened as he asserted.

Governor Kalu arrives U.S. today and is expected to hold talks with top US officials while in the country. Details of his talks in U.K. and while in the United States are unavailable at the time of this report.

[ Governor Kalu - 2005 Photo ]