By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Monday dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress is working with the electoral umpire to stifle opposition parties, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission remains an independent body. He spoke with journalists at the National Assembly lobby in Abuja during events marking his 66th birthday.
Responding to allegations from the African Democratic Congress that the APC and INEC’s “body language” were designed to weaken the opposition ahead of 2027, Kalu described the claims as frivolous. “The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. INEC is an independent body. We have a lot of respect for the Chairman. He is an erudite Professor of Law, a SAN, who taught many lawyers in Nigeria,” he said.
The former Abia State governor argued that Nigerians must take democracy and its institutions seriously. “Let us stop this frivolity. People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously instead of de-marketing the country,” Kalu stated, adding that political actors should avoid undermining public confidence in state institutions.
Kalu also rejected suggestions that the APC is coercing governors or other politicians to defect to the party. He maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never pressured anyone to leave their party or join the APC. “If a governor decides to join APC, that is his business. When you come, we negotiate. If it is good, we allow you to come; if it is bad, you go your way. Nobody is forcing anybody,” he said.
On 2027 permutations, including reports that the Senate Presidency could be zoned to the South East, the senator said he was unaware of any such arrangement. He stressed that zoning remains the exclusive prerogative of the party leadership. “I’m not aware of that. It is an internal matter for the leadership of the party. If anything is given to me, I will take it, but I’m not going out of my way to look for anything,” he explained.
Addressing concerns raised by some members of the 1999 class of governors about alleged marginalisation, Kalu insisted President Tinubu maintains cordial ties with his contemporaries. He cited recent meetings between the President and several former governors as evidence of ongoing engagement, adding that he saw no rift between the President and the 1999 set.
On claims that the South East did not benefit under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Kalu pushed back, saying every leader contributes their quota. “Buhari tried his best. Tinubu is contributing his quota. We are feeling the impact of both governments. We are getting what we are supposed to get… maybe even more today. That does not mean President Buhari did not do well,” he said.
Speaking on the economy, the former Senate Chief Whip said Tinubu’s reforms are showing results at the macroeconomic level, with investors from Australia, China and the U.S. coming in. He acknowledged challenges at the grassroots, which he blamed on insecurity and sabotage. “The upper end of the reform is working. The lower end has some problems because of insecurity and sabotage. Reforms take time to survive. It is not built in a day,” he noted.
Kalu expressed strong confidence in President Tinubu’s chances in 2027, describing the opposition as “very, very weak” and lacking viable alternatives. “I don’t think any of them will defeat the President in a free and fair election. APC is like a moving train. Even in my village that were not APC, everybody is joining now,” he said.
The senator concluded by urging political rivals to focus on policy rather than criticism, and to strengthen democratic institutions. He argued that capacity utilization is improving and that Nigeria is on the path to recovery, but warned that citizens must manage expectations as reforms mature over time.
