TheCable

Orji Uzor Kalu, Nigerian politician and businessman, says his interest in buying Arsenal Football Club was simply to make money.

The former Abia state governor spoke on Wednesday during a chat with journalists.

Kalu, who is the chief whip of the senate, said the idea of buying the north London club was for pure business.

The politician had backed Enyimba, a Nigeria Professional Football Club (NPFL), during his tenure as Abia governor, helping the club to dominate the local and continental football scene.

The Aba-based side also won a back-to-back CAF Champions League under his stead in 2003 and 2004.

But in November 2020, the 60-year-old billionaire had publicly declared his intention to purchase a 35 percent stake in Arsenal.

Speaking on the development, Kalu said: “I wanted to use Arsenal to make money. Because it is a business. Honestly, I am not an Arsenal fan.

“I put a bill before for them to sell the club but they were not serious in selling the club. I pray that they will listen to the words of nature.

“I sent them a bid and interest, and just replied me that they will get back to me.

“I think this is what the problem is. We were serious. Backed up with one of the biggest bank in America to do this bid.”

The businessman, who is worth $1billion, is the owner of Nigerian Sun and New Telegraph newspapers.