Senator T.A Orji is pro-people, open and responsive – Aide

Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial district, Senator Theodore A. Orji has denied a report alleging that he shouted at someone who called his telephone number.
In response to the story, Senator Orji, in a statement by his Media Adviser and Legislative Aide, Eddie Onuzuruike, said that nothing could have been farther from the truth as the former immediate past Governor of Abia State has a record of humility, openness and accessibility that cannot be rivaled by any political office holder.

The statement reads thus:

Our attention has been drawn to the front page of the Sunday Punch, April 24, 2016, titled, ‘Leaked numbers: Nigerians wage telephone wars against senators…’ Further down on page 2, one Portia Emilia Anthony in a post on her Facebook page accused former Gov. Theodore Orji who is now representing Abia Central senatorial District of shouting at her on the phone…..’
From all indications, the Sahara Reporters that splashed the numbers of senators and urged the public to engage the legislators did not know how far bloggers and other folks would go as some have ended up embarrassing their legislators. Most of the people who responded like Emilia acted heretically as they did not have enough facts but relied on insinuations to harass their legislators. If Emilia had good intentions, why would she not start with her legislators from Cross River State, rather she called Senator Orji?
If the Senator wanted to be dodgy, he wouldn’t have left his phone line open in the first instance but he picked an unregistered number and entered into a discussion with a strange caller which reflects a lot of confidence and openness. He would have handed the phone to an aide or completely ignored the call. Rather than extol these virtues, she went to town that the Senator shouted on her. This can only be believed by those who do not know Senator Orji, his trademark humility and openness.
While he was governor of Abia State, his line was always on, reading and replying text messages and interacting with newsmen and other citizens. In truth he reacted promptly to constructive criticisms.
We can vividly recall the kidnap days in Abia when many indigenes and non-indigenes called the Senator frequently on the phone of which a higher percentage came from abroad. I am sure that many who know him would send out messages in his defence. Many like Emmanuel Ugwu of Thisday, Gordy Udaja of the Guardian, Steve Oko of the Authority, Ben Duru of The Independent- all correspondents in Abia, are at home with these facts.
The Senator is aware of his responsibilities of being answerable to the people and keeps to that consciousness without discrimination. These are presently evident in his multiple bills and motions, many of them people-oriented. In December 2015, he toured round his constituency of six LGAs doling out Xmas gifts and later followed with a scholarship program worth six million Naira bequeathed on 60 students.
Precisely three weeks ago, Saturday, April, 9 2016, he embarked on a constituency programme involving gifts to over a hundred constituents who received tricycles, modern agricultural equipment, fertilizer, sewing machines, wheel chairs, grinding machines, motorbikes and generators, all free of charge.
We advise that people should not fall victim of being pushed into undue actions as the same constitution guarantees all our rights realizing that excesses are subject to applicable laws when violated.
Senator T A Orji while gov answered and replied all text messages to the extent that if a poll was conducted, none of the elected officers in Nigeria would have equaled his rapid response in interpersonal communications. People should be wary and respect individual rights and privacy.
Some innocent people are misled into such distractions but Senator Orji focused and articulate would not be swayed.

Eddie Onuzuruike.
Media Adviser and Legislative Aide.