Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will complete his two terms in office, citing the significant successes achieved through bold economic, social, and political policies.
Kalu made this statement on Tuesday while responding to questions from Senate journalists who approached him in the lobby of the National Assembly.
Expanding on his belief that President Tinubu will secure a second term in 2027, Kalu emphasised that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is firmly committed to ceding its 2027 Presidential ticket to Tinubu in accordance with the zoning arrangement aimed at maintaining a North-South power balance.
He also praised the President’s economic reform policies, which he asserted are already yielding positive results.
Citing the manufacturing sector as an example, Kalu revealed that production costs have decreased from 23 percent last year to 18.5 percent this year.
He stated, “The good news is that we shall win again and President Tinubu will return. To be honest, Asiwaju will win; many Nigerian Presidents who have not performed well—I’m not naming names—have still won their second terms. We are appealing to Nigerians for their support.
“We will not complicate matters during the APC convention. We have only one Presidential candidate: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In alignment with democratic ethics, we are not considering any other candidates. The challenge in Nigeria is that we often fail to build upon the gains made through reforms.
Kalu urged Nigerians to show patience with the current administration, stating that the stability of the exchange rate is another indication that the President’s reforms are producing positive outcomes.
“It may be challenging now, and people are expressing discontent, but the reforms are taking effect. Someone told me this morning that the Dollar is 1490, so the reform is working, but patience is important.
“As a manufacturer, I can attest that manufacturing costs have changed; they were 23 percent last year, but early this year they have fallen to about 18.5 percent. You can verify this with the LCCI; what I’m providing is the reality.
“I believe there is hope in these reforms. It is tough everywhere in the world, but the crucial point is that while initial measures were implemented hastily, the President is now taking his time with his economic team, and it is evident that he is engaging in broader consultations.”
Speaking on a recent Book released by former Military president Ibrahim Babangida, Kalu stressed that he anticipates a second edition as the Autobiography failed to capture the entire events that led the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections.
Though Kalu appreciated the President for admitting that Moshood Abiola was the true winner of the election, he however said that the former Military president ought to have mentioned the names of those behind the annulment including the courageous role played by the then National Electoral Commission (NEC), Humphrey Nwosu.
He said; “Ibrahim Babangida is my Master and everybody knows and I am going to visit him very soon and discuss with him.
“I am waiting for the second edition. The first edition did not reveal all the realities of what happened, especially when it concerns Humprey Nwosu and INEC.
Babangida should tell us , not only Abacha, he should mention names of those who stopped him from declaring Abiola as the winner.
“I was there and I know what happened, he published a second edition and mentioned their names and Nigerians will know what really happened.
Kalu also thanked Babangida for erasing the false narrative that the Igbo Tribe orchestrated the 1966 coup events that led to the military mutiny that ousted the then civilian administration led by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa.
“Because people are thinking that Babangida lied but I am very grateful the coup they called Igbo coup has been clarified , although I don’t need Babangida to tell me that the Coup was not executed by the Igbos , that is why I am a true Nigerian.
“That coup was a Nigerian coup planned and executed by the Military and some people failed to do their job and their Igbos are bearing the brunt and that is not fair to the Igbos.
Following the confession of Ibrahim Babangida, Kalu appealed to President Tinubu to accord the Late Presidential Candidate Moshood Abiola full Presidential honours.
Kalu urged Tinubu to swear in Abiol as the duly elected President of the June 12 , 1993 Presidential election in Postmortem and including the inclusion of his Presidential portrait among other Past Presidents of the Country.
According to Kalu through such the Abiola family will be healed and compensated from the electoral tragedy which befell them and the nation.
“Abiola won the election and there is no doubt about that , I want them to put Abiola’s picture where other former President’s pictures are placed. I will appeal to President Tinubu to swear him in Postmortem.
“I am thankful to President Buhari who gave him the National Award but he should be sworn in Postmortem so the family will be healed and given the rights they give to former President’s.
Kalu urged Nigerians to protect the Nation’s democracy, he also paid solidarity to the Nigerian Army for the sacrifices while calling for investment in the Agricultural sector as well as the elimination of Terrorists occupying the Nation’s land areas.
Kalu discouraged the disbursements of cash grants to individuals to solve the economic challenges;
“The Nigerian democracy has come to stay and I am very grateful to the Nigerian Army and their sacrifices. Some of them are being killed in the battlefield trying to safeguard our Nation.
“We must go back to Agriculture to make progress. We must retrieve our lands occupied by bandits and other Terrorists. Dashing of money should stop. We should put those money to Agriculture and other productive ventures, Kalu said.
When asked for his opinion of the face off between Senator Natasha Akpoti and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over sitting arrangement, Kalu declined to comment saying that the incident was a matter that will be settled within the Senate Chambers as it would be an error to discuss such matter in public.
