- By Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that Nigeria’s escalating insecurity is being fuelled by political saboteurs determined to destabilise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Politics Sunday, a Channels Television current affairs programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, the former Governor of Abia State insisted that contrary to public fears, the President is “not sleeping” and is working relentlessly with security agencies to restore stability across the country.
“Insecurity is politically instigated… they want Tinubu to fail” — Orji Kalu
Kalu stated categorically that many of the attacks and kidnappings across the country are “politically engineered,” alleging that certain individuals and groups are deliberately sponsoring insecurity to weaken the 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.”
According to him, the President is fully aware of ongoing sabotage and is receiving sensitive briefings from the intelligence community briefings which, he stressed, are not shared with 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 Sunday’s cancellation of all presidential engagements was further proof that Tinubu is fully confronting the security situation.
“Tinubu will recover the kidnapped students; security agencies are fully activated”
Reacting to the recent abductions of schoolchildren, Kalu expressed confidence that the victims would be rescued.
“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.”
The Senator said the country is going through a difficult moment but assured Nigerians that the government is equal to the task.
On sabotage: “I know what to do… I kept Abia safe”
When pressed on whether Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed, Kalu argued that insecurity is not solely the Federal Government’s responsibility, adding that state governments have failed to use their powers effectively.
He maintained that he successfully handled similar crises while governing 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 as far as offering himself for temporary 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.”
Why he won’t name saboteurs
Responding to calls for him to reveal the actors undermining national security, 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 stated that the National Assembly is already working nonstop on legislative solutions but insisted that state police cannot be implemented without 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 his case must be solved politically”
Senator Kalu devoted significant attention to the conviction and sentencing of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, calling for a calm, political, and non-emotional approach to resolving 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.”
Citing recent positions expressed by Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Uzor Kalu, he said the Igbo nation must shift from confrontation to negotiation.
“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 revealed he is already engaging relevant 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 recounts his role in securing Kanu’s 2017 bail
The Senator recounted how he fought for 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.”
However, he insisted that the thousands of Igbos who lost their lives, businesses, and livelihoods during the crisis must not be forgotten.
“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.”
“Justice Omotosho merely did his job”
Kalu condemned insults directed 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 legal team has already appealed the judgment and said he would intervene only on the political side, not the judicial one.
National Assembly working “even on Sundays”
Kalu said the Senate leadership is actively working on 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.”
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