Insecurity politically orchestrated to weaken Tinubu before 2027 — Orji Kalu

…says President is not failing, calls for political solution to Kanu crisis

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has alleged that the current wave of insecurity sweeping across the country is being deliberately orchestrated by political actors intent on undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Sunday, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, the former Abia State governor dismissed claims that the President has lost grip on the security situation, insisting that Tinubu is working tirelessly with military and intelligence chiefs.

According to Kalu, many of the attacks ravaging communities are not random crimes but carefully planned acts of sabotage. “People are sponsoring this insecurity to destabilise the government,” he declared. “They want Tinubu to fail. They did the same thing to former President Jonathan. It is all about 2027.”

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He added that although the President keeps critical intelligence away from lawmakers, Tinubu is fully apprised of the sabotage.

“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.”

Kalu cited the cancellation of the President’s official engagements on Sunday as evidence that Tinubu is confronting the crisis head-on.

Reacting to the latest mass abductions, Kalu expressed strong confidence that the victims would be rescued.

“Those girls and other students who were kidnapped will be recovered.

“Our security operatives and service chiefs have gone fully on duty. We shall track these bandits down.”

He acknowledged that the country is experiencing a difficult moment, but said the government is not overwhelmed

When asked if Nigerians can trust that the situation will improve, Kalu insisted that states must also take responsibility instead of shifting all blame to the Federal Government.

Drawing from his time as governor, he said he had effectively confronted similar threats in Abia.

“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.”

Kalu even offered himself for emergency deployment if required.

“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.”

However, he refused to name those he believes are behind the political sabotage.

“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.”

Kalu said the push for state police is ongoing at the National Assembly, but stressed that lawmakers cannot implement it without buy-in from the states.

“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.”

Turning to the controversy surrounding IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, the senator argued that the matter requires a political settlement rather than public outbursts.

“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.”

Kalu referenced recent comments by Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Uzor Kalu, saying the South-East must adopt a more pragmatic posture.

“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 disclosed ongoing engagements with 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.”

Reflecting on his involvement in securing Kanu’s earlier bail during the Buhari administration, he said: “When I wanted to join APC in 2016, I told them I won’t join if Kanu is not released on bail.

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“Buhari agreed, Malami and Lawal Daura helped. I know the pressure I personally put before he was released in 2017.”

Kalu lamented that victims of the South-East crisis are often 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.”

He also condemned abuses directed at Justice Omotosho, who delivered Kanu’s latest judgment. “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.”

Kalu confirmed that Kanu’s legal team has already filed an appeal, adding that his own role will strictly be political.

He said the National Assembly is also actively reviewing the broader security situation.

“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.”