Ekiti rejects Orji Kalu’s ‘peace advocacy’ visit

The Ekiti State government has rejected former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s ‘peace advocacy’ visit to the state, telling the former governor to take his advocacy for peace to other parts of the country where security of lives and property of Nigerians is under threat.

The government said Ekiti State is enjoying peace, adding that “even the police adjudged Ekiti as the most peaceful state in the country.”

The government noted that Kalu, who is acting as the Chairman, Advisory Board for the National Movement for Re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, had embarked on tour of the Southwest purportedly to advocate peace, fairness and unity of the country.

However, the government said in a statement issued yesterday by the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, that “there is no threat to peace and unity of Nigeria from Ekiti State, for anyone, including Orji Kalu to address. Therefore, he should not expect to be welcomed in Ekiti State.”

The government urged traditional rulers in the state to ignore the former Abia State governor, saying; “it is an insult on the collective sensibilities of Ekiti people, whose only benefit from the government of President Buhari is hardship, for anyone to hide under advocacy for peace to canvass support for the President.”

The government said “it is unspeakable that because of his EFCC case, Orji Kalu saddled himself with the task of doing image laundering for a president whose government is inflicting suffering on Nigerians”.