It is no news that the once cordial relationship between Abia State Governor, Theodore A. Orji and ex-governor Orji Uzor Kalu has since hit the rocks.
Many say the fallout is the quest for a stronger political base in the state and not necessarily issues bordering on governance.
In recent times, the media is inundated with accusation and counter-accusation by both camp and as the 2015 general election draws nearer, what we are witnessing may just be a tip of the iceberg.
But the latest salvo is coming from Kalu’s camp. A report by a national daily assert that there is a desperate plot by the state government to revoke the degree awarded the former governor by the Abia State University (ABSU) in 2002.
The paper claimed that Gov. Orji who is invoking his powers as Visitor to the university is behind a move.
He was accused of constituting an investigative panel looked into a petition against the former governor.
Kalu was said to have abandoned his degree programme at the University of Maiduguri and had his transcript records and other details transferred to ABSU while he was serving as governor.
He completed the programme some eleven years ago.
The report further said “the Senate of the University met last Tuesday to consider the report of the investigative panel hurriedly set up to look into the curious petition filed by a yet to be unmasked petitioner”.
The panel held that although there indeed was a student by name Kalu, O.U. with Matriculation Number 00/42226, who supposedly transferred to Abia State University, the process of the transfer and the documentation was incomplete. The ex-governor through his spokesman noted that the move was provoked by his desire return to the Peoples Democratic Party. He said no human being except God has the power to determine any other person’s destiny, advising Orji to desist from witch-hunt and face the huge task of governance.
But the governor’s camp in its reaction to the news said it rejects the allegation. An insider who spoke to Dailypost on the condition of anonymity as he was not in a position to comment on the issue, said they were not surprised as Kalu had sworn to regularly attack the incumbent.
He said the stories is false and were manufactured by paid agents and media houses with links to the ex-governor.
The source said Kalu has a talent of telling lies and that he was fond of belittling himself to win the sympathy of the people.
“We don’t know about the matter. If they like, they can invite the Federal Government to investigate the matter. On our part, we have nothing to hide. The governor is busy delivering dividends of democracy to Abians and therefore has no hands in such ”
He described Kalu as an “alarmist” and that “He portrays himself as someone who is being cheated.”
“He did same with former president Obasanjo while in power. He did same with Tony Anenih, but you can now see he has turn around to try and settle with them. He actually canvassed for Anenih’s to be made PDP BoT Chairman after all the things he said about the man. So who is desperate?” he asked.
Efforts to reach Kunle Oyewunmi, media aide of the ex-governor failed, as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.
Abia is one of the state where the incumbent governor and predecessor remain at loggerheads over politics.
Analysts say the conflict between the two men can still be resolved if both parties agree to sheathe their swords and put whatever issues they have behind them.
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