Senator Orji Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be unbeatable in the 2027 presidential election, describing the contest as “Tinubu versus Tinubu.”
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Abia governor said the APC remains deeply rooted across Nigeria and continues to enjoy massive grassroots support.
According to Kalu, President Tinubu’s policies are already transforming the nation’s economy and improving national security.
> “Has he gotten anyone contesting against him? The election is Tinubu and Tinubu, just like Soludo and Soludo in the just concluded Anambra election,” he said.
“The President has no opposition. Our party is fully on ground and with the people. Nobody can say we don’t have the people’s backing. We’ll keep doing our best to help Nigerians progress.”
Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Tinubu’s economic recovery drive through what he described as “pro-people legislation.”
> “Whatever the challenge is, the Senate is focused on making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic problems affecting our people,” he said.
“We are determined to make sure Nigerians can eat three times a day.”
Kalu Backs Trump’s Comments on Killings in Nigeria
Responding to remarks attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump on the killings in Nigeria, Kalu said Trump “told the truth,” stressing that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.
> “If it’s a lie, then my answer is that it’s not a lie because he said the truth. Nigerians are being killed, whether they are Christians or Muslims,” Kalu said.
“There are jihadists who just want to destroy Nigeria. We should blacklist them without pity so that they will be smoked out.”
He revealed that he had personally engaged two former U.S. Presidents—one Republican and one Democrat—as well as six sitting U.S. Senators on Nigeria’s security challenges.
> “Before President Trump says a word, the American intelligence community must have found out where these terrorists are located,” Kalu noted.
“You can see that the Nigerian Air Force is already acting, possibly using information shared by the U.S. to bomb terrorist hideouts. That’s how it should be.”
Global Instability Traced to Fall of Gaddafi, Saddam
Kalu also linked Africa’s security crisis to the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein.
> “When Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein were killed, it became a problem because those people were maintaining their borders,” he argued.
“After their deaths, light and heavy arms spilled all over the world, and we are suffering from it today.”
He clarified that the U.S. was not targeting Tinubu’s government, contrary to public speculation.
> “Nigerians are clapping and political opponents are thinking that the U.S. is after Tinubu’s government—no! They are going after the jihadists,” he emphasized.
On Abia and Anambra Politics
When asked about speculations that Abia State Governor Alex Otti might defect from the Labour Party to the APC, Kalu dismissed any claim of pressure from the ruling party.
> “Let’s be honest, neither I, nor other senators, the Senate President, or President Tinubu have ever forced anybody to join our party,” he said.
“I’ve met with my governor; he’s my brother and used to be my banker. Whether he joins or not is up to him. But as for me, I’ll work 100 per cent for the APC, campaign in the state, and ensure victory for Tinubu and all APC candidates.”
Kalu also expressed confidence that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, would eventually align with the APC.
> “Soludo is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and the governors of Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu. He has no alternative than to come and join us—it’s confirmed,” Kalu stated confidently.
On the Economy and the Senate Leadership
Commenting on the economy, Kalu admitted that while macroeconomic indicators are improving, the microeconomy remains under strain.
> “As a businessman, I feel the pain too. The macro economy is doing well, but the micro is not,” he said.
“Foreign investors are coming in, and what remains is for this progress to reach ordinary Nigerians so that people can eat daily and return to farming.”
He assured that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly are fully committed to restoring economic stability and food security.
> “President Tinubu has put his life into revamping the economy, and the Senate is doing its best to ensure Nigerians feel the progress,” he said.
On the reported move to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kalu downplayed the tension, calling it a “family misunderstanding.”
> “There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family, and it’s not going to happen,” he concluded.
(NAN)
