The  advent of our democracy since 1999 was a great relief to the entire citizens who have been under military dictatorship for over 40 years. This has retarded the growth of our march towards democratic governance. The year 1999 remains evergreen in my memory as a young and dynamic man was elected as the  Executive Governor of Abia State by name Dr. 0rji Uzor Kalu (MON).
Needless to go into details of his stewardship  in office as the governor while he held sway for eight uninterrupted years during  which his resolve to entrench solid democratic institution  and respect for the constitution of Nigeria was unmistakable. The then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,  tried to extend his rule beyond the constitutional mandate of two terms, which Dr Orji Uzor Kalu saw as a negation and abuse of power. He was among the few eminent Nigerians that  fought this  at the risk of their lives.This singular patriotic efforts almost crippled all his business interests, ranging from oil and gas, banking and aviation, which were acquired before his foray into the murky water of politics.
After completing eight years in office, Chief Kalu set up The Sun Publishing Limited to serve as a channel of information to the masses.  One could have thought that his main objective was to use his newspaper as  a platform to fight his perceived enemies or better still, launder his image, but this was not to be, as he assembled  the best hands in journalism in order to ensure that the paper becomes an unfettered channel of information to the masses.
Newspapers today have become a veritable media of mass communication; a beautiful bride in Nigerias journalism, thereby becoming the avenue where state chief executives pick their media advisers based on their professionalism, with the recent pointer on the appointment of the companys Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief, two-time president of the Nigeria Guild of Editors becoming the presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, who, the President described as the best hand in journalism.
Since the inception of the Orji Uzor Kalu Leadership Series that featured every Saturday in The Sun newspaper, I have followed this column which, in most cases, becomes prophetic as to the future of our democracy and other societal values of life.
His article of 4th of July 2015, in which he x-rayed the repercussion of the demands of state governors for a bailout to enable them meet up with the backlog of unpaid salaries of workers, made interesting reading. Kalu went down memory lane on how he survived with an allocation of less than a billion naira monthly to achieve so much and pay all salaries and pensions till his exit from office, which his former Chief of Staff and ex governor, T.A Orji, could testify to.
But, that same man owes workers with  federal allocation and IGR running into trillions of Naira. I was wrath in my spirit and wondering aloud how human beings could turn out to become the enemies of their fellow man, who gave them the mandate to rule, based on their selfish and parochial interest. I am of the firm belief that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will right all the wrongs and recover all looted funds.Abia State should be a test case as anything done to cover up the former governor, Chief T A Orji, will amount to great injustice to the people of Abia State where I come from.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC must live up to their constitutional responsibilities to stamp out corruption in our national life.
The issue of this bailout must be carefully handled to avoid setting a dangerous precedent in public office. It beats my imagination how our governors looted the states dry, through their acquisition of choice properties all over the world, while state workers are being owed for upwards of 11 months. This, to me, is mans inhumanity to man. It is very satanic, immoral and ungodly.
Dr Orji Uzor Kalus regime as governor of Abia State, despite the lean purse, was able to deliver people-oriented projects.It constructed roads, and above all won the elusive   African Championship Cup back to back, that no other club till date has won for Nigeria.
Today, our nation is faced with serious challenges in global sports. I trust President, Muhammadu Buhari, who in his maiden broadcast to the nation, assured that only the best hands will be used in his efforts to rescue our nation from years of misrule. Without any fear of contradiction, I advise Mr President to consider this detribalised Nigerian, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, popularly known by his admirers as OUK as the next Minister of Sports and Youth Development to save us from this global embarrassment in sports.
Finally, as a Buharist, I call for full probe of all past administrations. All  stolen funds should be recovered and whosoever is found guilty of corruption and abuse of office, let the laws of the land take their full course.