By Muhammad Mamman
Former Governor of Abia State and serving Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has stirred controversy with his startling revelation that several prominent Nigerian politicians once engaged in advance-fee fraud, popularly known as 419, during their years abroad before venturing into politics.
Speaking during a recent interview, the outspoken lawmaker claimed that some of today’s political elites had questionable pasts, particularly in their early years outside the country, but had since managed to reinvent themselves and rise to prominence within Nigeria’s political establishment.
Kalu, known for his frank and often unfiltered commentary on national issues, said his remarks were not intended to discredit anyone but to highlight the hypocrisy and double standards that often define Nigeria’s political culture.
“Some of those who now parade themselves as saints were once involved in 419 when they lived abroad,” Kalu revealed. “They did things they are not proud of today, yet they are the ones quick to judge others.”
The Senator added that the Nigerian public deserves honesty from its leaders, stressing that true integrity involves owning up to one’s past and showing genuine transformation, rather than projecting false moral superiority.
While he did not mention any names, his comments have sparked widespread debate within political and social circles, with many Nigerians expressing shock and curiosity over the identities of the alleged former fraudsters. Others, however, have commended Kalu for his boldness, arguing that his statement reflects deeper systemic issues within the nation’s leadership recruitment process.
Analysts note that Kalu’s remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of public officials and calls for greater transparency in governance. The revelation has also reignited discussions about the moral standards expected of those who seek public office.
Kalu concluded his comments by urging the youth to shun fraudulent activities and pursue legitimate means of success, warning that “a man’s past always catches up with him, no matter how far he runs.”
His statement, though controversial, has once again positioned the former governor at the centre of national discourse — a role he seems comfortable playing as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken politicians.
