Theodore Orji

His Excellency
Theodore Orji
CON
His Excellency Theodore Orji CON
Senator for Abia Central
	In office; 9 June 2015 – 11 June 2023
Preceded by	Nkechi Justina Nwaogu
Succeeded by	Darlington Nwokocha
8th Governor of Abia State
	In office; 29 May 2007 – 29 May 2015
Deputy	Chris Akomas; (2007–2010); Acho Nwakanma; (2010–2011); Emeka Ananaba; (2011–2015);
Preceded by	Orji Uzor Kalu
Succeeded by	Okezie Ikpeazu
Personal details
Born	Theodore Ahamefule Orji; 11 November 1950 (age 73); Umuahia, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Abia State, Nigeria)
Political party	Peoples Democratic Party (before 2006; 2010–present)
Other political; affiliations	Progressive Peoples Alliance (2006–2010)
Spouse	Mercy Odochi Orji
Children	5, including Chinedum Orji
Occupation	Politician

Theodore Ahamefule Orji CON (born 11 November 1950)^[2] is a Nigerian politician who served as the senator representing Abia Central senatorial district from 2015 to 2023. He previously served as the governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015.^[3] He was formerly a career civil servant, and served as the chief of staff to Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.^[4]

Early life and career

Orji before becoming the governor of Abia State was formerly a career civil servant where he served at the Abia State Government House as a Principal Secretary. He was later appointed Chief of Staff to the then Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.^[5]

He served as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he Chaired the Senate Committee on Privatization and was the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture.^[6]^[7]

Public service

After completing the National Youth Service Corps Scheme, he began working as an Administrative Officer in the old Imo State Civil Service Commission in 1979. When Abia State was created in 1991, Orji returned to Umuahia, where he served in several administrative positions, including the Government House, Umuahia, Bureau of Budget and Planning and Ministry of Agriculture.^[8]

In March 1996, he was seconded to the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), now INEC, Abia State, as the Administrative Secretary.^[9] He was later reassigned to Enugu State in 1997 to supervise the elections that ushered in the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria. After the polls, Orji returned to Abia State, where he subsequently served in various capacities in the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Ministry of Agriculture, and Abia State Government House.^[10]

Political career

In December 2006, Senator Orji won the gubernatorial primaries of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to contest the 2007 governorship elections in Abia State. On April 14, 2007, he was elected Governor of Abia State, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He was sworn in on May 29, 2007 as the third Executive Governor of Abia State.^[11]^[12] In 2011, he re-contested and won a second term.^[3]

In 2021, Senator Orji announced his retirement from active politics after completing his second tenure as Senator, representing Abia Central Senatorial District.^[13]

Tenure

Legacy projects

While in office, Orji constructed and completed the 10,000 International Conference Center in Umuahia.^[14] In 2015, Orji commissioned several Federal High Court complexes in Abia State.^[15] He is also responsible for the Reconstruction of the Abia State House of Assembly as well as the construction of 28 constituency offices at the complex for members of parliaments. In 2012 The Nation, described the construction of the Ministry of Justice in Abia State as a "legacy ".^[16]

High Court Aba
Old High Court & Old Magistrates Court
Construction of ASEPA Complex^[17]
Worker’s Secretariat & Dialysis Centre^[18]

Corruption allegations and EFCC investigation

In February 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced an investigation into Orji and his sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna based on a petition the commission received in 2017. The petition, filed by the Fight Corruption: Save Nigeria Group, outlined over ₦500 billion in public funds that were allegedly stolen by Orji and his family. The money was supposedly ₦383 billion from federal accounts, ₦55 billion in excess crude revenue, ₦2.3 billion from SURE-P funds, ₦1.8 billion from ecological funds, a ₦10.5 billion First Bank loan, a ₦4 billion Diamond Bank loan, a ₦12 billion Paris Club refund, a ₦2 billion agricultural loan for farmers, and ₦55 billion in Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission funds along with other government money including a ₦500 million monthly security fund. Later in February 2020, Orji was questioned by the EFCC in relation to the investigation; his son and Abia State House of Assembly Speaker Chinedu Orji was also interrogated as the investigation found that Chinedu had around 100 bank accounts that could have been used to hide the stolen money.^[19]^[20]

On August 19, 2021, Orji was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after he failed to abide by his release conditions. As a part of his release from EFCC custody in 2020, Orji had to forfeit his passport; however, the commission later returned his passport so Orji could travel to Dubai for medical attention and Orji had refused to give the passport back. Later that day, Chinedu turned himself in and was taken into custody.^[21]^[22]^[23] Both were interrogated before being released on bail and told to return for future questioning.^[24]^[25]

As of August 2022, Orji remained under investigation by the EFCC.^[26]

Personal life

Chief T.A. Orji has been recognised and conferred many traditional titles, including Ochendo Ibeku, Utuagbaigwe of Ngwaland, and Ohazurume of Abia South. He is married to Mercy Odochi Orji, and they have five children.^[27]

References

^ "Theodore Orji, Sports Enthusiast and Advocate, Celebrates 72nd Birthday". NIGERIA SPORTS NEWS. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
^ "Theodore Orji: Growing up as the Only Child of My Mother Remains an Indelible Experience - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
^ ^a ^b Sulaimon Olanrewaju and Olayinka Olukoya (28 April 2011). "GOV ELECTION: The winners are Ajimobi, Fashola, Amaechi, Amosun, Abdulfatah, Akpabio, Aliyu, Dakingari, Orji, Chime, Kwankwaso..." Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
^ Emeruwa, Chijindu (9 March 2021). "Abia bye election: Orji Kalu's brother, Mascot emerges APC candidate". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
^ "Abia State Governor – The Abia State Government – Official Website". www.abiastate.gov.ng. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
^ "Chief Theodore Orji | Nigeria Governors' Forum". Archived from the original on 20 June 2015.
^ "CITATION: HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR THEODORE AHAMEFULA ORJI OON, BEST SENATOR 2017". ABIA FACTS NEWS. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
^ Babah, Chinedu (7 March 2017). "ORJI, Chief Theodore Ahamefule". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation.
^ BusinessDay (17 November 2021). "Ochendo at 71: Trajectory of a humble background". Businessday NG. Retrieved 4 October 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
^ "Former Abia Governor, T. A. ORJI's N4 billion Umuahia mansion raises dust". Encomium. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
^ "Abia: one year after". The Nation. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
^ Iriekpen, Davidson. "Nigeria: Orji - From Detention to Government House?". All Africa. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
^ "I will quit politics in 2023 —Ex-Abia governor, Senator Theodore Orji". Tribune Online. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
^ TheMail (13 June 2023). "Theodore Orji's Remarkable Achievement: The Completion of the ICC Umuahia Construction Project - The Mail Newspaper". Retrieved 13 June 2023.
^ Staff, Daily Post (5 May 2015). "Gov Orji commissions Umuahia, Aba High Court Complexes". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
^ "'Orji is building enduring legacy for Abia judiciary'". The Nation (Nigeria).
^ Staff, Daily Post (6 September 2013). "Governor Orji donates bus to ASEPA, visits first facility user of Abia State Dialysis Centre". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
^ "The Abia Dialysis Centre: Outstanding Legacy of T.A. Orji". Pointblank News. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
^ Nwezeh, Kingsley. "EFCC Investigates Theodore Orji, Son for Alleged Diversion of N551bn". ThisDay. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ Ogune, Matthew (9 February 2020). "Graft: Theodore Orji may toe same path as predecessor". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ Sanni, Kunle (19 August 2021). "EFCC arrests ex-governor at airport, detains him, son". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ Adepegba, Adelani (19 August 2021). "EFCC arrests ex-Abia gov Orji at Abuja airport". The Punch. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ Daniel, Soni (19 August 2021). "Breaking: EFCC arrests ex-Gov Theodore Orji". Vanguard. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ "EFCC Releases Former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji". Channels TV. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ Sanni, Kunle (19 August 2021). "EFCC releases detained ex-governor on bail". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ Sanni, Kunle (20 August 2022). "SPECIAL REPORT: 11 forgotten cases of alleged corruption by former Nigerian state governors". Premium Times.
^ Ndukwe, Jude (9 November 2018). "TA Orji: Celebrating Ochendo, Abia's Father of Equity at 68". Vanhuard. Retrieved 28 January 2019.

[1] "Theodore Orji, Sports Enthusiast and Advocate, Celebrates 72nd Birthday". NIGERIA SPORTS NEWS. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.

[2] "Theodore Orji: Growing up as the Only Child of My Mother Remains an Indelible Experience - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.

[Tribune20110428-3] Sulaimon Olanrewaju and Olayinka Olukoya (28 April 2011). "GOV ELECTION: The winners are Ajimobi, Fashola, Amaechi, Amosun, Abdulfatah, Akpabio, Aliyu, Dakingari, Orji, Chime, Kwankwaso..." Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.

[4] Emeruwa, Chijindu (9 March 2021). "Abia bye election: Orji Kalu's brother, Mascot emerges APC candidate". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 11 June 2023.

[abiastate.gov.ng-5] "Abia State Governor – The Abia State Government – Official Website". www.abiastate.gov.ng. Retrieved 22 December 2017.

[6] "Chief Theodore Orji | Nigeria Governors' Forum". Archived from the original on 20 June 2015.

[7] "CITATION: HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR THEODORE AHAMEFULA ORJI OON, BEST SENATOR 2017". ABIA FACTS NEWS. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2019.

[8] Babah, Chinedu (7 March 2017). "ORJI, Chief Theodore Ahamefule". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation.

[9] BusinessDay (17 November 2021). "Ochendo at 71: Trajectory of a humble background". Businessday NG. Retrieved 4 October 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)

[10] "Former Abia Governor, T. A. ORJI's N4 billion Umuahia mansion raises dust". Encomium. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

[11] "Abia: one year after". The Nation. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.

[allafrica.com-12] Iriekpen, Davidson. "Nigeria: Orji - From Detention to Government House?". All Africa. Retrieved 28 January 2019.

[13] "I will quit politics in 2023 —Ex-Abia governor, Senator Theodore Orji". Tribune Online. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.

[14] TheMail (13 June 2023). "Theodore Orji's Remarkable Achievement: The Completion of the ICC Umuahia Construction Project - The Mail Newspaper". Retrieved 13 June 2023.

[15] Staff, Daily Post (5 May 2015). "Gov Orji commissions Umuahia, Aba High Court Complexes". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

[16] "'Orji is building enduring legacy for Abia judiciary'". The Nation (Nigeria).

[17] Staff, Daily Post (6 September 2013). "Governor Orji donates bus to ASEPA, visits first facility user of Abia State Dialysis Centre". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

[18] "The Abia Dialysis Centre: Outstanding Legacy of T.A. Orji". Pointblank News. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

[19] Nwezeh, Kingsley. "EFCC Investigates Theodore Orji, Son for Alleged Diversion of N551bn". ThisDay. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[20] Ogune, Matthew (9 February 2020). "Graft: Theodore Orji may toe same path as predecessor". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[21] Sanni, Kunle (19 August 2021). "EFCC arrests ex-governor at airport, detains him, son". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[22] Adepegba, Adelani (19 August 2021). "EFCC arrests ex-Abia gov Orji at Abuja airport". The Punch. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[23] Daniel, Soni (19 August 2021). "Breaking: EFCC arrests ex-Gov Theodore Orji". Vanguard. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[24] "EFCC Releases Former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji". Channels TV. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[25] Sanni, Kunle (19 August 2021). "EFCC releases detained ex-governor on bail". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[26] Sanni, Kunle (20 August 2022). "SPECIAL REPORT: 11 forgotten cases of alleged corruption by former Nigerian state governors". Premium Times.

[27] Ndukwe, Jude (9 November 2018). "TA Orji: Celebrating Ochendo, Abia's Father of Equity at 68". Vanhuard. Retrieved 28 January 2019.

[28] Abaribe was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.

[29] Abbo was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in November 2020.

[30] Akpan was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the YPP in July 2022.

[31] The PDP's Ekpenyong was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal partially annulled the results and called a supplementary election in the affected areas. Ekpenyong won the ensuing rerun election and was sworn-in again in January 2020.

[32] Oduah was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in August 2021 before returning to the PDP in April 2022.

[33] Jika was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in June 2022.

[34] Bulkachuwa was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in November 2022.

[35] Gumau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022.

[36] The PDP's Douye Diri was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Governor. Cleopas won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.

[37] The PDP's Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Deputy Governor. Dickson won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.

[fnAPCResigns-38] In April 2022, Adamu and Kyari resigned from the Senate after taking APC party offices the month prior.

[39] The PDP's Rose Okoji Oko was elected senator in 2019 but died in March 2020. Jarigbe and fellow PDP member Stephen Odey fought in court over the ensuing by-election's PDP nomination; Odey won both initial court decisions and the by-election before taking office late in December 2020. However, Jarigbe later won several court challenges which declared him the legitimate PDP nominee and thus senator. Jarigbe took office in September 2021.

[40] Nwaoboshi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in June 2021.

[41] Alimikhena was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.

[42] The APC's Adedayo Clement Adeyeye was elected senator in 2019 but the NASS Election Petition Tribunal awarded and Court of Appeal affirmed the win to Olujimi. She took office in November 2019.

[43] Onyewuchi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the LP in June 2022.

[44] Due to disputes over alleged irregularities, the APC's Benjamin Uwajumogu was not sworn in until July 2019. Uwajumogu died in December 2019 leading to a bye-election. After disputes, Ibezim was awarded the bye-election victory and took office in April 2021.

[45] Due to disputes over the alleged forced declaration of his election, Okorocha was not sworn in until June 14, 2019.

[46] Shekarau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022 then to the PDP in August 2022.

[47] Babba Kaita was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in April 2022.

[48] Aliero was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in May 2022.

[49] Abdullahi was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.

[50] The PDP's Dino Melaye was elected senator in 2019 but Adeyemi petitioned against the results and the NASS Election Petition Tribunal annulled the results and called a new election. Adeyemi won the ensuing rerun election and took office in December 2019.

[51] The APC's Adebayo Osinowo was elected senator in 2019 but died in June 2020. Abiru won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.

[52] Akwashiki was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the SDP in July 2022.

[53] The APC's David Umaru was elected senator in 2019 but the Supreme Court awarded the APC primary win to Musa making him senator. He took office in July 2019.

[54] Balogun was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.

[55] The APC's Ignatius Datong Longjan was elected senator in 2019 but died in February 2020. Daduut won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.

[56] The APC's Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal awarded the win to Abdullahi Danbaba. He took office in November 2019 as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in April 2022.

[57] Bwacha was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in February 2022.

[fnZamfara-58] Prior to inauguration, the APC's Zamfara votes were voided due to improper holding of party primaries. Thus the PDP runners-up took office. All three (Anka, Hassan Muhammed Gusau, Yaú) switched to the APC in June 2021. In February 2022, Muhammed Gusau resigned to become Zamfara Deputy Governor.

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Theodore Orji

Early life and career

Public service

Political career

Tenure

Legacy projects

Corruption allegations and EFCC investigation

Personal life

See also

References

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