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Hardship: Bring succour to Nigerians, Orji Kalu tells Tinubu
Former Governor of Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to quicken steps in bringing succour to Nigerians amidst the current biting economic hardship.
Kalu, who sits on the Abia-North Senatorial District seat at the Senate, spoke at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, noting that much as the President was making honest reforms to address the challenges Nigeria currently faced, the hardship in the land was also real.
He noted that the President was “courageous” to have introduced reforms, the types never seen in the last 60 years.
Speaking to journalists, Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said, “We feel that the reforms going on now have not happened in the last 60 years, no president had the courage to do what President Tinubu is doing now. It is about courage. The man is very courageous.
“Possibly if I’m president, what he is doing now to reform the economy, I won’t do it, I might come slowly.
“Even in my village, everywhere I go, companies, everybody, there is hardship, but I appeal to the federal government, the President, to know how he can bring succour quickly to the people of Nigeria. He has to do something not yesterday, but today.
“He must do something like yesterday because the condition of the Nigerian people is not too good. I believe that no president in the world elected by people would want his people to suffer.”
Specifically on the controversial removal of fuel subsidy, the former said it was an issue could meet with members of his economic team and study it.
“I’m not in the economic team, I have not seen the president or anyone to ask but this is what (return of subsidy) the president has to sit with his economic team to discuss.
“But, the decisions he has taken are what no president in the 60 years of the republic, no president has been able to take, ” he added.
Kalu, who claimed that he had cut down on personal expenses as a result of the hardship, said he also resolved not to fly private jets for now.
He explained, “The hardship is true, people are suffering. We have hundreds of thousands of workers, we have about 10,000 workers in our group that we run.
“We need to pay those salaries. If I fly at any time, buying fuel and maintaining the private plane takes almost $10,000, $20,000.
“I called our senior members in the group and said when I have to make my own sacrifices it is not for the federal government, it is for the good of the company.
“So I said fly no more, fly commercial and save the money for restructuring our workers both in Nigeria and West Africa so that everybody must feed in this time of hardship. “
On the outcome of the just-concluded Edo State governorship election, which was won by the APC’s candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the lawmaker argued that the best contestant and party won.
He said, “The national chairman, the national secretary, and the members of the NWC, and including the senators, have worked so hard for Edo and I believe that whoever works hard for an election deserves to win.
“The election is about numbers, when you have the numbers on the ground, you win. When you don’t have the numbers, you don’t win. INEC has declared the winner and they (Okpebholo and APC) deserve the win.”
Kalu dismissed rumours that circulated recently that he died, saying that he merely took a private time to study some courses.
“Listen, there was nothing wrong with me. I took permission from the senate president about seven days before the senate closed. I went for a little study in one of the universities that I paid for myself, not that anyone paid for me. I went to do some courses for two months; so I used the holiday period to do courses on democracy and the economy.
“I did not die. I didn’t go for any medical check up, but if people say I have died, we give thanks to God”, he told reporters.
Again, the national grid has collapsed again making it a record eleventh blackout experienced by Nigerians.
A BusinessDay report quotes data obtained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal (niggrid.org), as indicating that the collapse occurred at 1:56 p.m.
This incident follows a pattern of instability, with the grid suffering about 12 consecutive collapses in 2024,” the report says.
It adds that the cause of the latest failure is yet to be disclosed.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
L R: Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, former commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, Hon Abbas Sani Abbas and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin when the ex-commissioner joined the APC at the residence of Senator Barau in Kano on Friday.
Abbas Sani Abbas, former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, has officially dumped the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during his visit to a prominent APC leader in Kano, where he pledged his allegiance to the ruling party.
Hon. Abbas, known for his grassroots mobilization and dedication to community development, explained his decision to switch parties.
“I believe the APC offers the platform to achieve the vision of a better Kano and a stronger Nigeria. My move is guided by a desire to contribute more effectively to good governance and development,” he stated during his visit.
The defection was celebrated by top APC leaders in Kano, including the party’s state chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, popularly known as Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki, and other key stakeholders.
Welcoming Hon. Abbas to the party, the APC leader commended his decision and assured him of full support. “Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas is a dedicated grassroots mobilizer and a leader committed to the service of humanity. We are proud to have him join our great party,” he remarked.
Speaking further, the APC leader emphasized the party’s commitment to inclusivity and development. “Together, we will continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity. This is a significant moment for our party in Kano as we strengthen our ranks with capable individuals like Hon. Abbas,” he added.
Prince Abdullahi Abbas also expressed confidence that the former commissioner’s experience and dedication would add value to the party’s efforts in Kano State and beyond.
Party loyalists and political observers in Kano have hailed the defection as a significant boost for the APC, particularly in its grassroots mobilization efforts. Many believe Hon. Abbas’s entry into the APC will solidify the party’s influence in rural communities across the state.
Hon. Abbas concluded by expressing optimism about his new political journey. “I am fully committed to working with the APC leadership to ensure a brighter future for Kano State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu is expected to leave Nigeria for an international event in Abu Dhabi.
He is expected to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential spokesman on Friday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, invited President Tinubu to attend the Summit, which will take place in the emirate from January 12 to 18.
“The Summit will bring together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socioeconomic progress.
The event, ‘The Nexus of Next; Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ will enable policymakers, business, and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and evolve a new era of prosperity for all.
“ADSW, a testament to the power of collaboration, has been held annually for over 15 years. It provides a global platform to foster multi-stakeholder cooperation in addressing global challenges and accelerating growth.
“It has birthed high-value agreements and strategic partnerships between governments, industry leaders, and clean energy pioneers worldwide, driving impactful alliances and advancing the sustainability agenda worldwide.”
Onanuga said the President would use the summit to stress his administration’s reforms, including those related to energy sufficiency, transportation, public health, and economic development.
The Nigerian leader and his entourage would also meet with the emirate’s leadership to discuss issues of interest affecting the two nations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other senior government officials will accompany the President.
“He will return to Nigeria on Thursday, January 16.” Onanuga said.
At the time of filing this report, Preparations to take off were being made.
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