Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has alleged that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity is being driven by “politically motivated sabotage” aimed at undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Sunday, a Channels Television programme anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, the former Abia State governor insisted the President is fully engaged with the crisis and is “working day and night” with service chiefs to restore stability.
Kalu said many of the attacks, kidnappings, and violent crimes reported nationwide are “politically engineered,” accusing unnamed individuals of sponsoring insecurity to weaken the federal government.
“People are sponsoring this insecurity to destabilise the government. They want Tinubu to fail. They did the same thing to former President Jonathan. It is all about 2027,” he said.
The Senator noted that President Tinubu is fully aware of the sabotage but cannot disclose intelligence reports to lawmakers.
“The President did not tell me what his intelligence community was saying. He will not. What I know is that he is working day and night. He is not sleeping because leadership is not a bed of roses.”
He added that the President’s decision to cancel all official engagements on Sunday was further evidence of his hands-on approach to the security situation.
Reacting to the recent abductions of schoolchildren, Kalu expressed confidence that security forces would rescue the victims.
“Those girls and other students that were kidnapped will be recovered. Our security operatives and service chiefs have gone fully on duty. We shall track these bandits down,” he assured.
Kalu acknowledged that Nigeria is experiencing a difficult moment but maintained that the government is “equal to the task.”
When asked whether Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed, the Senator argued that insecurity is not solely the Federal Government’s responsibility, insisting that state governments also bear significant responsibility.
He recalled successfully confronting criminality during his tenure as governor of Abia State.
“As Governor of Abia, we faced similar challenges and I handled it very well. I established the Bakassi security outfit. I drove criminals away. People could sleep on their property in Aba.”
He went further to offer himself for emergency deployment.
“If most of these states want to declare a state of emergency and send me there for six months, I will keep it peaceful. I know what to do.”
Pressed to mention individuals involved in the alleged political sabotage, Kalu declined.
“I can’t mention anybody’s name. The intelligence community is on it. If they feel it’s necessary to call their names, they will. I am not in the intelligence sector; I’m a lawmaker.”
On state police: “Democracy is slow; states blocked it”
Kalu said the National Assembly is already working on legislative reforms but reminded the public that state police requires constitutional amendment.
“To implement state police, we need two-thirds of state assemblies. In the 9th Senate we tried, but it failed to get approval from the states. You can’t blame the National Assembly.”
Nnamdi Kanu: “He incited people and people died — but this must be solved politically”
The Senator also spoke extensively on the case of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, urging a political—not emotional—solution to the crisis.
“If you incite people to kill, you must face trial. Kanu’s words incited people and people died. Over 30,000 Igbos were killed; many lost businesses. But this problem must be solved politically.”
He echoed recent calls from Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Uzor Kalu, saying the Igbo nation must embrace negotiation over confrontation.
“It’s not time for noise-making. Let’s settle down, go on our knees and find a political way for the man to be released. Let Igbos stop being emotional.”
He confirmed he is already engaging federal authorities.
“I have been working with the Federal Government on how to solve this issue. I will be contacting the Attorney-General and the President on how best to settle it.”
Kalu revisited his earlier involvement in securing Kanu’s release under the Buhari administration.
“When I wanted to join APC in 2016, I told them I won’t join if Kanu is not released on bail. Buhari agreed. Malami and Lawal Daura helped. I know the pressure I personally put before he was released in 2017.”
He added that the suffering endured by thousands of Igbos during the crisis must not be overlooked.
“Nobody is talking about the Igbos that were killed, the businesses destroyed. I don’t want to go emotional here. A lot of Igbos were killed.”
Kalu also condemned attacks targeted at the trial judge.
“Justice Omotosho is a messenger of the court. If you are not pleased, you go to the appellate court. You don’t insult a judge.”
He confirmed that Kanu’s lawyers have already filed an appeal, stressing that his role will remain political, not judicial.
Kalu disclosed that the Senate leadership is already working on resolutions to address the crisis.
“I just left the Senate President’s office. We are discussing how to solve this problem. We will hand over our resolutions to the security agencies.”
