Politics
Tinubu will win second term in 2027 – Senator Kalu
Chairman of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will complete his two terms in office considering the level of successes he recorded in bold economic, social and political policies.
The Abia-North Lawmaker stated this on Tuesday while fielding questions from the Senate Journalists, who ambushed him at the lobby of the National Assembly.
Among other responses, the former Senate Chief Whip faulted narrative of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election given by the former military president Ibrahim Babangida in his autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service describing IBB’S account as incomplete.
According to the former Abia Governor Babangida failed to mention the names of the Principal Actors that led to the annulment of the election widely adjudged as the freest, fairest, and most credible poll in the history of the country, that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO Abiola, was the winner.
Giving more reasons why believed that President Tinubu will win a second term in office in 2027, Kalu pointed out that the ruling Party the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) remains firm in its decision to cede its 2027 Presidential Ticket to Tinubu in line with the zoning arrangement to maintain a North-South power balance.
Additionally Kalu mentioned the economic reform Policies of the President which he said iis already delivering positive economic results.
Using the Manufacturing sector as an example Kalu stated that the cost of production had reduced to 18.5 percent from 23 percent which it was last year.
He said; “The good news is that we shall win again and President Tinubu will return.
“To be honest with you Asiwaju will win, many Presidents in Nigeria who have not done very well—I won’t call any names and they won their second term. We are appealing to Nigerians to support us.
“We are not going to ruffle ourselves with the APC convention. We have only one Presidential candidate which is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In line with democratic ethics we are not looking for any other person or candidate but the problem of Nigeria is that you people don’t like to consolidate gains of reforms.
Asking Nigerians to exercise more patience with the administration, Kalu said the stability in the exchange rate is also another indication that the President’s reforms are yielding positive results.
“It might be very difficult today, very hard and people are complaining but the reform is trickling down, somebody just told me this morning that the Dollar is 1490, so the reform is working but we should be patient.
“I am a manufacturer and I can tell you that Manufacturing costs have gone up, last year it was 23 percent but early this year it has gone down to about 18.5 percent. You can confirm from the The Lagos Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (LCCCI) what I am giving you is the real fact.
“I believe that there is hope in these reforms. It is difficult everywhere in the world but the most important thing is that initially they were done in a hurry now the President is taking time with his economic team and you can see that the President is making wilder consultations.
Speaking on a recent Book released by former Military president Ibrahim Babangida, Kalu stressed that he anticipates a second edition as IBB’S account of June 12 failed to capture the entire events that led the annulment of the 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.a
A three-term former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Teejay Yusuf, has faulted the Nigerian Senate’s handling of the ongoing feud between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as a case of “progressing in error.”
Yusuf, who represented Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency from 2011 to 2023, made his position known in a personally signed statement on Saturday. The former lawmaker, popularly known as Teejay, offered a critical analysis of the situation and proposed a conciliatory path forward.
“As a former federal lawmaker, who had the privilege of representing my constituency, and Nigeria for twelve years in the House of Representatives, I feel disappointed at the way, and manner the disagreement between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is being managed.
He expressed dismay over the lack of tact and wisdom in resolving what he termed a “needless matter, he stated.”
“Initially, one had thought that the Senate, with experienced lawmakers in the leadership, and membership would apply more wisdom, tact, and restraint in handling the issues. But alas, the reverse is the case! Fact is, the Senate seems to be progressing in error, on a needless matter that should not degenerate into a full-blown crisis as has been witnessed, if the leadership had exhibited genuinity, sincerity, transparency, fairness, and true comradeship ab initio, he said”.
Yusuf questioned the approach adopted by the Senate leadership, suggesting that a more rational and inclusive process could have prevented the escalation.
In his words, “Perhaps it is necessary to ask; why go to war when proper reasoning would have saved the situation? Perhaps one should reiterate that the Senate leadership should know that might, as being displayed is not necessarily strength. Indeed, the relocation of seating arrangement, which was the initial matter should not have been allowed to snowball into other bigger issues if handled with care, fairness, and understanding.”
He pointed out several concerning developments, including a hot mic incident involving Akpabio, and the perceived haste in the Senate Committee’s investigation.
“Somehow, as events unfold it appears there is more to the matter. First, Akpabio, not realizing the microphone was on, allegedly gave a directive for the suspension of Natasha, while discussions were still on-going. Two, it took public outcry before attending to the Petition by Natasha’s constituents. Three, the swiftness, and hurried nature in which the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petition completed its assignment, and submitted the report gave serious concerns. Four, the number of weighty recommendations, and severity gives the impression that the Committee may be ‘dancing to the rhythms of some drummers.’ Five, reports of alleged manipulation of the Committee’s attendance list were not taken with seriousness, and may have been consigned to history.”
Yusuf emphasized that parliamentary disputes are not uncommon and should not spiral into punitive actions.
“It should be reiterated that Parliament, all over the world, is naturally a place of contestation. That Akpoti-Uduaghan complained about the seating arrangement is not out of the ordinary. Such would have been resolved peacefully and amicably, without recourse to brickbats, and emotional outbursts by all parties.
In any case, similar (and possibly worse) incidents had happened in Nigeria’s Legislature which did not lead to what we are witnessing.”
He cited historical precedents of legislative disagreements that were resolved without suspensions.
“Recall Akpabio’s disagreement with Senator Saraki (then Senate President) over seating arrangement; Saraki and Senator David Mark (then Senate President) over some issues; Femi Gbajabiamila (as Opposition Leader); Rep. Chinda Kingsley, Rima Shawulu, and my humble self with Gbajabiamila (as Speaker). In all of these situations, despite fierce protestations, and arguments they were resolved amicably; it did not lead to the suspension of any member or senator. That is the beauty, and significance of the Legislature.”
He urged the Senate leadership to be more inclusive and respectful of dissenting voices.
“It is imperative to counsel Akpabio, and the leadership of Nigeria’s Senate that they should learn to accommodate dissenting voices as much as practicable and possible. Senators who are new, and others should be allowed to ventilate their opinions, and make contributions to debates; even when the leadership have different positions. That is what makes the Legislature vibrant and dynamic.”
Yusuf praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for standing her ground and advised her to stay focused on her legislative duties.
“Undoubtedly, with the voices of Akpoti-Uduaghan, and similar others making valuable contributions to national issues, at this time will bring positives to the Senate. Also, the Senate can leverage the popularity of Akpoti-Uduaghan (and others) to generate positive public perception about the Legislature, and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
While I congratulate Akpoti-Uduaghan for being dogged, steadfast, and refusing to be cowed in the midst of harassment and intimidation, I wish to appeal that she should continue to stay committed towards impacting positively on the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District who have consistently invested their total support for her not minding the crude theatrics and propaganda by few people.”
He condemned the alleged involvement of the Kogi State government in the feud and the recall efforts.
“I strongly advise the Kogi state government not to internalize the crisis, which has external origin. That the government is allegedly involved in the matter is very unfortunate.Also, reports that the government was behind the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan is outrightly condemnable, preposterous and cowardly.
I appeal to those behind the recall to backtrack, and stop forthwith by not overheating the political system in Kogi state. Elections are over, though of different political parties, Akpoti-Uduaghan is representing the state at the National Assembly.”
He called for a peaceful resolution and intervention by well-meaning Nigerians.
“The best Kogi state government can do is to seek ways towards resolving the crisis, and not taking sides, and embarking on actions that will end in failures. Finally, as an advocate of peace, unity, and development, I believe that the needless crisis between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan can still be resolved. Fact is, the image of the Senate has been bruised, and battered. Something immediate, and timely needs to be done. Going forward, I call on credible, and patriotic Nigerians, in or out of government to step up, and intervene on the lingering feud in the overall interest of the country”, he added.
Disturbed by the alleged disdain for the Social Democratic Party, SDP leadership structure by the new entrants, the forum of State Chairmen of SDP has*cautioned its leadership structure must be recognized, respected and not tampered with.
The Forum said, it has confidence the SDP leadership structure, warning some high profile politicians defecting to the party not to move against or alter its core identity.
This caution was contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday at the Green Minds Hotel Conference Centre in Abuja, declaring full support for the SDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, and National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, adding their effort in repositioning the party was well noted and worth applauding.
Recently the SDP has swollen up with defectors who are high profile politicians, even as the State Chairmen noted that new members must be integrated through proper party channels.
“New members are welcome, but they cannot admit or register themselves,” the communiqué stated, reinforcing that state leadership remains the gateway for party membership.
The forum also warned against any hasty changes to the party’s name, logo, or constitution, insisting that such decisions must undergo thorough deliberation by the National Executive Council (NEC).
Additionally, they rejected any attempts to dissolve democratically elected structures to accommodate new entrants, emphasizing that elected officials must serve their full terms.
Reaffirming SDP’s democratic ethos, the chairmen pledged to resist any moves that could subordinate the party to personal or sectional ambitions.
“The SDP belongs to all Nigerians. It must not be hijacked by any individual or interest group,” they declared.
With elections on the horizon and an influx of political heavyweights into the party, the SDP leadership appears set on preserving its identity while expanding its influence. Whether these internal guidelines will prevent friction or spark further debates remains to be seen.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the affirmation of their electoral victory in the recent judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal.
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the landmark judgment validates the overwhelming support of the Edo State electorate for the APC’s candidate in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The party stated that the Governor’s victory stands as an affirmation of the popular will of the good people of Edo State.
“We applaud the judiciary for its well-reasoned decision in the matter, underscoring its independence, professionalism, and commitment to strengthening democracy in our country.
“Our great Party salutes the good people of Edo State for their massive support of our Party during the past election, and for their patience and sustained support through the litigation.
“Confident that this well-deserved victory will further energize Governor Okpebholo, who is already saturating the state with good governance and dividends of democracy, we urge the Governor to do even more for the Edo electorate, and translate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into meaningful benefits for all in the state.
“We remain thankful to President Tinubu, our visionary and dogged achiever, for his exceptional leadership of our great Party”, the party said.
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