[Photo Left: Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu ]
The Nigerian professionals in diaspora has weighed in on the allegations of corrupt practices brought forward by the Executive Governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in a private letter to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Governor who was in Los Angeles, California attending the World Igbo Congress 2005 Convention vehemently denied any connotation that he was holding fort for the Vice President, Atiku Abubakar nor the former Nigerian leader Ibrahim Babangida. Both men he said should answer to their own sins against the Nigerian people. Count me out of Atiku's woes, he should go and sort his problems with his boss. The Vice President and I are not neighbors as reported in the media, I live over five miles away from him. As far as I am concerned, the Governor continued, I am holding a perpetual fort for the poor, the hungry, the jobless, the systematically oppressed and the down trodden people of Nigeria.

The Governor looking very frank and sincere reassured this elite US group that the fight against corruption should start from the Presidency with an unbiased umpire cum judicial panel selected from the civil society and not, I repeat not the EFCC which hitherto has been employed as an instrument of intimidation, persecution and witch hunting of political opponents.

This group of Nigerian professionals who paid Governor Kalu a courtesy call at his hotel in Southern California praised him for his courage and his unflinching support for the masses. The group noted with delight and admiration the private manner the Governor used to make his concerns known to the President as mark of respect for the person and office of the President.

Alhaji Suleiman, the leader of this influential group assured the peoples governor they will be writing to their US senators to commence immediate hearings on these corrupt allegations made by the governor. The group affirmed their belief in one Nigeria and called on Mr President to provide Governor Kalu with adequate security as they are very concerned with his safety at this hour of need.

President Olusegun Obasanjo having a New Year chat with Vice-President Atiku Abubakar -Source: Foolscap Humour Photo-Call