I Funded Formation of PDP with Over N500 Million in 1998, Claims Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzo Kalu, has claimed that he single-handedly funded the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 with over N500 million.

This claim has sparked intense debate and raised eyebrows among political analysts and stakeholders.

According to Kalu, he brought the majority of the funds used to form the PDP from his personal business ventures, which included a lucrative rice, sugar, and confectionery trade, as well as petrol sales.

The former governor, who is currently 65 years old, stated that he was one of the few individuals who had the financial capacity to support the party at the time, alongside notable figures such as T.Y. Danjuma and Atiku Abubakar.

Kalu’s claims are based on his assertion that he gave President Olusegun Obasanjo $1 million and the PDP over N500 million Naira to kick-start the party.

He emphasized that his contributions were instrumental in the party’s formation and early success, stating that “everybody from A to Z” can attest to his generosity.

The PDP has yet to respond to Kalu’s claims, and it remains to be seen whether the party will corroborate or refute his statements.

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Kalu’s revelations have opened a Pandora’s box, sparking a renewed discussion about the role of money in politics and the sources of wealth among Nigeria’s elite.