From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Senator, representing Abia-North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed speculations that the growing wave of endorsements for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 was a response to fears about opposition coalitions.
The former governor maintained that the endorsements were driven by President Tinubu’s bold leadership and transformative policies.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Kalu, who chairs the Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission, stressed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not afraid of any coalition.
He said with the APC’s passion for Nigeria and focus on nation-building, he did not think the party had anybody to fear.
“No, no, no. I don’t think a party like APC has anybody to fear. We are the ruling party. We love Nigeria. That’s why many of us are building industries across the country to create jobs, even outside the government.”
He said criticisms from the opposition are expected and even necessary in a democratic setting, adding that such should not be mistaken for weakness on the part of the ruling party.
“The opposition must fight. That’s their job. But, our job is to deliver, and we are doing our job perfectly well. In the coming years, Nigerians will appreciate what Mr President is doing,” he said.
Kalu said the South-East caucus of APC had thrown its weight behind Tinubu even before others started endorsing him.
“We had endorsed him weeks ago; the endorsement was chaired by Gov. Hope Uzodimma and co-chaired by the Governor of Ebonyi and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. We initiated the national endorsement,” he said.
On the Tinubu-led administration’s economic policies, Kalu praised the president for making tough but necessary decisions, like the subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.
Although he acknowledged the current hardships, he, however, emphasised that the changes were essential for a long-term national stability.
“I’m not a politician but a businessman. And this is the first president who ended the cheap money culture. People made money from nothing before.
“This president is telling us, make money the right way or don’t make it at all,” he said.
According to him, Tinubu’s economic policies were already impacting on the macroeconomic level, stressing that their benefits would soon reach every Nigerian.
“Tinubu is not just a Southern president. He will be re-elected by both the North and South because it’s in the national interest. We don’t want the country to break; we want it to thrive,” he said.
On his plans for 2027, Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to serving his constituents and Nigeria with integrity and passion.
He said that while infrastructure and education had been prioritised, his focus would shift to agriculture, in 2027.
“You must love people to serve them. That’s why I work hard. I don’t even keep a bank account. Everything I have goes into helping people through roads, schools, agriculture and my foundation,” he said.