Ex-Afikpo North-East State constituency lawmaker, Hon. Maria Ude Nwachi popularly known as Afikpo Chic has narrated how the incumbent Senate Chief Whip, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu assisted in making her a millionaire.
Hon. Nwachi who was writing on the heels of the Supreme Court judgment quashing the 12 year sentencing of the lawmaker representing the people of Abia North Senatorial District, disclosed that she worked as the photographer and social media handler of the former Abia State governor between 2013-2015.
Hon. Nwachi who represented the people of Afikpo North-East under the platform of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), founded by Kalu when he was having loggerhead with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recalled how her former boss (Kalu) introduced her to his colleagues and business associates who in-turn gave her cash gifts and contracts that ran into millions of cash.
Below is an article Hon. Nwachi posted on Igboist facebook wall, Friday which she is the admin after Kalu’s case was decided by the Supreme Court
Orji Uzor Kalu.
I did not know him when he was a governor. He was my first ever image making client. I worked from his home daily from 8 am to some times midnight and beyond everyday, starting in 2013 and ending in 2015.
I was assigned an office there, How did I get the job? Someone hyped me to him. She owns the largest Igbo forum online, she a social media icon, etc.
He asked to see me, and of course I was not looking like what he expected, but I was talking to him with the confidence of a sage, I was like sir, give me 2 weeks and everything about your image will become another story, he was annoyed and said but I have people that do such for me, and I am this and that, I said sir, none of your media people will do what I do because they won’t know how to do it at all.
They are in their lane and mine is a specialty, mostly taught and harnessed by me to me. And you cannot do what I can do for you.
OUK was not having any of this my over confidence and braggadocio which sounded like gross arrogance, especially when the person claiming all these is wearing a 1000 naira Nigerian wax wrapper, rubber sandals; and no makeup; but talking like one international beauty queen with excess brain.
He almost threw me out of his house when his PA, Shola, said, oga let us give her a try. She said 2 weeks.
My people, that his PA saved my ass that day. They tried me for 2 weeks, OUK was super impressed and the rest was history! I became the handler of his social media platforms and personal photography.
If he does not see me at any event, he go bone. Once he sees me, he go relax knowing photo extraordinaire go happen.
Money shots must land that will make newspaper headlines.
While in Abuja in 2013, I was staying between places, just gallivanting.
OUK, super impressed by my photography/social media handling prowess, he moved me to a mansion in Asokoro, then later gave me multi millions to move into my own place that was large enough to be a home and office so my workers can live and work from there too.
Almost all my physical workers lived with me there.
Private jet: I’m going on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again….My 1st time on a private jet in Nigeria, na OUK.
I am his personal photographer and must be closer to him than other in the entourage, my dear after an event, they will mention 3 people that will enter with oga and I will hear Maria, and I will be like uhhh emmmm okay o. Lol.
No jealous me, no be me say make KING born me. No be me say make my papa be governor of Ebonyi state. Obugum si eze mua m.
He took me on a tour to the southwest, where he will praise me to high heavens to all the governors and dignitaries we pay a visit to. OUK is an expert at hyping and capping those around him.
He will put sugar and milk to your profile to others and you will even start wondering if he is talking about you.
After every introduction, they will give a package and say, to that woman with them, and of course I was usually the only woman among the over 50 entourage that accompany him to places.
My dear by the end of that trip my dash money was nearing 10 million naira. OUK still compensated me heavily for the trip which lasted for weeks.
In 2014 or so; I was among those who went with him to see Governor Akpabio when he was the governor, after blowing me up to the the governor and his wife, they discovered I was the founder of Ndi Igbo page, which they followed keenly, during its heydays, my dear as we were leaving, I was jammed with millions from the super couple. Thanks to OUK.
When I came from nowhere and won my election under PPA in my state, he was very happy and proud as I was the only person that won under PPA in 2015.
He did not even have any idea I was gonna use PPA to run. He was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. I bragged to him that my people don’t joke with me and that if it’s in their power to make me a president they will too lol.
Worth mentioning: While working daily in his home, I met so many people that added a lot to my life. The 1st huge media contract I signed in Nigeria in 2013 was made possible by Sen. Emmanuel Onwe whom I met while serving OUK.
The whole contract was for 350 million naira, they paid me 100 million naira instantly on the day of signing.
That I was able to do solid projects for my people as an elected member, who was constantly embattled and denied entitlements by my state government was due to some of the image making clients I met while serving OUK.
From 2013 to 2015 I was paid a hefty monthly allowance from this him. I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me. I will never forget his quote on me one lazy afternoon..
”MARIA DOES NOT COMPROMISE WHEN IT COMES TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND EDITING”.
I was shocked to hear him say this. I was so proud of my work ethics, you should have seen me grinning from ear to ear that day.
This man pays attention to the most minute details.
Recently, OUK was convicted and imprisoned for 12 years, and today the conviction has been overturned. If he did the crime, let him pay his dues to society. Let justice prevail; for or against.
I am just writing to appreciate a man who contributed a lot towards my well being. Please, judge me by my own actions and examples, always. Do not judge me by the actions of another person. Thank you all for indulging me.
Addendum: Onyedimma? If you have any issue with this post because I worked for him, then better not take any job from any Nigerian politician or any Nigerian leader for that matter, because they are basically one and the same. Judge people by their own actions only. Don’t be a hypocrite.
If you are given a contract by a Nigerian politician you will sign it and do your job. Don’t come after others for what you know you will do.
You would not like to be judged by anyone’s actions but yours, so do not do that to others. I am the harshest critic of politicians looting us all dry. I don’t just talk about it, when I was serving as an elected politician, I walked my talk. Simple.
PHOTO: Taken by me. These images where then. My photography, editing and graphics don move to another level, a level so freaking vicious and fantabulous it’s not funny.
Yours truly, MUN.
Maria Ude Nwachi.
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Recall that Nwachi’s stint at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly wasn’t rosy as she was reportedly having running battles with the Gov. of the state, Engr. Dave Umahi and frosty relationship with the leadership of the State Assembly which contributed in dashing her hope of representing Afikpo North and South federal constituency in 2019 general election.
