Kalu Defends Tinubu’s Re-Election, Backs Dangote on Corruption Claims

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, has dismissed claims by his colleague, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the President remains a strong contender with no visible opposition momentum.

Reacting to Abaribe’s comments on Channels Television, where the Abia South senator said President Tinubu never truly won the 2023 election and would be defeated in 2027, Kalu disagreed, saying such conclusions were premature and inaccurate.

Abaribe had stated, “Tinubu will lose in the 2027 election; he never won in 2023. We are going to meet him in the field, and we will see how he will couple together that thing that will make him win again; it won’t work.”

However, Kalu, a former Abia State governor, said President Tinubu is focused on rebuilding Nigeria’s economy and laying the foundation for long-term sustainability, despite the current economic hardships facing citizens.

“President Bola Tinubu is trying to rebuild the economy. I know things are difficult. I don’t agree with Abaribe that Tinubu has already failed the election; I don’t think so,” Kalu said. “We were all in the 9th Senate and we are here now. The difference is that President Tinubu is trying to build a sustainable economy in every parameter. We have never had it before.”

According to Kalu, previous administrations relied heavily on handouts, while Tinubu’s approach prioritises structural reforms. He added that the 2027 election would largely be determined by the President’s performance, describing it as “Tinubu versus Tinubu.”

“I’ve not seen the momentum of the opposition to challenge him,” he added.

Kalu also weighed in on recent comments by the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on corruption in Nigeria, expressing strong agreement with the business mogul’s position.

“I agree with what Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote said that corruption is endemic in us,” Kalu said. “We are businessmen and traders; we don’t dash money. It is only politicians who do so.”

He noted that corruption cuts across both the public and private sectors, stressing that massive stealing has contributed to the nation’s economic challenges.

“There’s massive stealing going on, and that’s why President Tinubu is working to divorce those places, and that’s why there’s difficulty,” Kalu said.

The senator also identified insecurity as a major threat to Nigeria’s micro-economy, while commending the military, police and other security agencies for their efforts.

“This is war and we must be prepared to make sacrifices for the country,” he said, calling on the government to thoroughly investigate the corruption allegations raised by Dangote.

“I support what Dangote said in the press conference. It is very valid, and the government should stand up and investigate these matters,” Kalu concluded.