By NewsCritic Reporters
The Chief Whip of the Senate and former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu will be welcomed to Abia State in a grand ceremony scheduled to hold tentatively by the end of August 2020, sources revealed. This is also subject to the full relaxation of the COVID-19 lockdown in the country.
According to NewsCritic findings, Senator Kalu, popularly known as OUK by his numerous supporters and admirers will be received by the Abia people in a special way in celebration of his release from the correctional service, following the nullification of the proceedings leading to his conviction by the court over allegations bordering on money laundering.
Since he secured his release from the Correctional Service, Kalu has become the toast of politicians and Nigerians alike, who have been flooding his Abuja home in solidarity and to pay homage to the Igbo leader. Apart from the senate president, Ahmed Lawan who led the senate leadership to Kalu’s residence, other well-meaning Nigerians have also in the spirit of camaraderie visited Kalu in a rare show of support and love.
Among the people from Abia State who have gone to visit Kalu were the former governor and senator representing Abia Central, Chief TA Orji and his wife, Reps Uko Nkole, Speaker Chinedum Orji, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, among other dignitaries too numerous to mention.
For the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State the return of Kalu has emboldened the party ahead of the 2023 General Election. Also, the party has elected him the chairman of the APC Caucus in Abia state in recognition of his pivotal role both in Abia and in the party.
Sources privy to the planned coming of Kalu to Abia State, said the home coming will have all the trappings of a state visit with full paraphernalia and salute.
For instance, the home coming of Kalu NewsCritic gathered will begin with his arrival at the Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri, where political party leaders from both APC and PDP in the South East will be on ground to receive him at the airport.
The next spot where the Chief Whip will make a stop to receive cheers from supporters is at the Imo River which is the boundary between Imo and Abia State. Kalu will move from there straight to Umuahia, making a stop at the Express Tower to acknowledge cheers from supporters and well-wishers, especially those coming from Aba axis and together he will proceed passing through Isi-gate Umuahia in a motorcade.
It will be a straight journey from Umuahia to Igbere where the traditional rulers of Abia North will be on hand to receive Kalu and perform the necessary traditional rites to take custody of their son.
The event it was further learnt would be telecast live in some national television and radio stations, while the various committees have been set up to organise the epoch making event.
