By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) — Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments on killings in Nigeria were directed at jihadist groups, not at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, insisting that Trump “told the truth” about the growing terror threat.
Speaking with members of the Senate Press Corps at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Senator Kalu clarified that America’s concerns are focused on extremist violence destabilizing parts of Nigeria, rather than any political agenda against the current government.
“Nigerians are clapping hands and political opponents are thinking that the U.S. is after Tinubu’s government. No! They are going after the jihadists,” Kalu stated. “There are jihadists who just want to destroy Nigeria. We should blacklist them without pity so that they will be smoked out.”
Kalu, who chairs the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), said Trump’s remarks reflected accurate intelligence assessments of terrorist operations in Nigeria, noting that the U.S. intelligence community likely provided the former president with credible information on extremist hideouts.
“Before President Trump says a word, the American intelligence community must have found out where these terrorists are located,” he said. “You can see that the Nigerian Air Force is already acting, possibly using information shared by the U.S. to bomb terrorist hideouts. That’s how it should be.”
The senator disclosed that he had previously engaged with two former U.S. Presidents and six sitting Senators who expressed readiness to support Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts.
While reaffirming his pro-American stance, Kalu also linked Africa’s current security challenges to the U.S.-led invasions of Libya and Iraq, arguing that the fall of Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein opened the floodgates for arms proliferation across the continent.
“When you killed Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein, it became a problem because those people were maintaining their borders. After their deaths, light and heavy arms spilled all over the world and we are suffering from it today,” he said.
Tinubu Faces “No Real Opposition” in 2027 — Kalu
On domestic politics, Kalu declared that President Tinubu will face little to no opposition in the 2027 presidential election, describing the race as “Tinubu versus Tinubu.”
“Has he gotten anyone contesting against him? The election is Tinubu vs Tinubu just like Soludo vs Soludo. The President has no options,” Kalu said.
The former Senate Chief Whip maintained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains solidly grounded across Nigeria and enjoys the overwhelming support of citizens.
“Our party is fully on ground and fully with the people. We will continue to do what we can to help the Nigerian masses progress,” he added.
Senate Committed to Supporting Tinubu’s Economic Agenda
Kalu assured that the National Assembly, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is determined to back Tinubu’s policies through pro-people legislation aimed at economic recovery.
“Whatever is the problem, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Ahmed Tinubu overcome the economic problems that our people are going through,” he said. “We are focusing on redeeming Nigerian people to see that they eat three times a day.”
The senator acknowledged the ongoing economic hardship but maintained that macroeconomic indicators are improving, with foreign investments beginning to flow back into the country.
“The macro economy is doing well, but the micro economy is not. What is left is for this progress to trickle down so that people can eat daily and return to farming,” he said.
On Party Politics and Defections
Addressing speculation about defections, Kalu dismissed claims that the APC was pressuring opposition figures to join the ruling party, saying that such moves are voluntary.
“Neither me nor other senators, Senate President or President Tinubu have ever forced anybody to join our party,” he said. “Whether they join or not is up to them.”
He expressed optimism that Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, currently of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), would eventually align with the APC.
“Soludo is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and the governors of Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu. He has no alternative than to come and join us—it’s confirmed,” Kalu asserted.
Senate Stability Restored
Kalu also dismissed reports of an attempted move to impeach Senate President Akpabio, describing the situation as a “family misunderstanding.”
“There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family, and it’s not going to happen,” he said.
Senator Kalu’s comments underscored his unwavering support for President Tinubu, his alignment with U.S. counterterrorism efforts, and his optimism about Nigeria’s economic recovery, stressing that cooperation between the executive, legislature, and international allies is key to national stability.
