“Tinubu Is Being Sabotaged Politically, Not Failing on Security — Sen. Orji Kalu Defends President, Says Kanu’s Case Requires Political, Not Emotional, Resolution”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has asserted that Nigeria’s rising insecurity is the result of political sabotage aimed at destabilising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Politics Sunday, a Channels Television programme anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, the former Governor of Abia State stressed that despite public concern, President Tinubu is “not sleeping” but working tirelessly with security agencies to restore peace across the nation.

“Insecurity is politically instigated… they want Tinubu to fail” — Orji Kalu

Kalu stated firmly that many of the attacks and abductions happening around the country are “politically engineered,” alleging that certain individuals and groups are deliberately sponsoring insecurity to undermine 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.”

He noted that the President is fully aware of the sabotage and receives sensitive intelligence briefings which, he pointed out, 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 referenced the cancellation of all presidential engagements on Sunday as evidence that Tinubu is fully confronting the situation.

“Tinubu will recover the kidnapped students; security agencies are fully activated”

Addressing the recent abductions of schoolchildren, Kalu expressed confidence that they 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.”

He acknowledged that Nigeria is experiencing a difficult period but assured citizens that the government is capable of handling the challenge.

On sabotage: “I know what to do… I kept Abia safe”

When asked whether Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed, Kalu argued that insecurity is not exclusively the Federal Government’s responsibility, maintaining that state governments have also failed to deploy their powers effectively.

He highlighted his own experience as governor:

“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 even offered 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 demands that he identify those behind the alleged sabotage, Kalu refused.

“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 working around the clock on legislative solutions but stressed 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 addressed the conviction and sentencing of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, calling for a calm, political approach rather than emotional reactions.

“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.”

Referencing opinions expressed by Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Uzor Kalu, he urged the Igbo community to 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 disclosed that 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 narrated how he fought for Kanu’s bail during 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 and businesses 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 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 noted that Kanu’s legal team has already appealed the judgment and emphasised that he would intervene only on the political aspect, not the judicial side.

National Assembly working “even on Sundays”

Kalu added that the Senate leadership is actively addressing 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.”