Senator faults calls for return of fuel subsidy, urges focus on security, economic growth
By Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
ABUJA — Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 elections, while opposing calls for the return of petroleum subsidy
Kalu also canvassed support for the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the state’s next governor
The former Abia State governor spoke on Wednesday in Maryland, United States, where he was hosted by a cross-section of Nigerians and Lagos indigenes in the Diaspora
He fielded questions on the state of the Nigerian economy, the Tinubu administration’s reforms and the country’s political direction
Kalu, who chairs the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, SEDC, and is seeking re-election on the APC platform, described Hamzat as a competent choice to lead Lagos
According to him, Hamzat’s long experience in the Lagos State Government had given him a strong understanding of governance and Nigeria’s diverse population
“Governor, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, is a good choice Yes, in kind, in person, in mind, and in everything.
“He has been in the government of Lagos State from 2006 till today He understands government, he understands our people, he understands Nigeria, he understands the Yorubas, he understands the Hausas and the Igbos,” Kalu said.
He expressed confidence that Hamzat would contribute to building what he described as a “new Lagos” and “new Nigeria”, where citizens would have a greater sense of belonging
Kalu defends Tinubu’s reforms
On the Federal Government’s economic policies, Kalu said Nigerians needed to understand that fundamental economic reforms could not produce their full benefits overnight
He said Tinubu had taken difficult decisions aimed at stabilising the economy, comparing the process with reforms undertaken in countries such as Singapore
“I will deviate a little bit to speak and talk about our President It’s very difficult to do reforms. Today, you see people celebrating today that he did a reform that is one of the best in Singapore. Yes, it’s true. But it took years!” he said.
Kalu, who disclosed that he contested the presidency in 2007 before stepping down, said his political experience had given him an understanding of the challenges involved in governing Nigeria
“So, what President Tinubu is doing, I understand very well Most people don’t understand. Most Nigerians don’t understand,” he said.
He said the administration’s immediate objective was to stabilise the polity and create a conducive environment for economic activity
“First is to stabilise the polity, the entire polity, by bringing the price of foreign exchange to the playing table, and also bringing the price of fuel to the playing table, and bringing the environment to be conducive,” Kalu said
However, he acknowledged that while there had been progress at the macroeconomic level, Nigerians continued to face difficulties at the microeconomic level, particularly because of insecurity
He said insecurity had prevented some Nigerians from farming and working in parts of the North, South-East and other parts of the country
Subsidy return not an option, says Kalu
Kalu also faulted calls by some political leaders for the restoration of petroleum subsidy, arguing that government should consider alternative measures to cushion the impact of economic hardship
He said his position was informed by his political experience and exposure to the petroleum business
“I was seeing some of our leaders saying they should bring back subsidy I say it’s a laughing stock for anybody… I have two tank farms. I have tank farm in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and I have palm farm in Lagos.
“And I believe that bringing back subsidy is not best for Nigerians It’s not an option to the economic development of Nigeria. Government can do other things, not fuel subsidy,” he said.
Kalu also alleged that the former subsidy regime had been affected by fraudulent practices, claiming that some of the companies involved were not genuine
“We were about 143 companies that were doing subsidy, and I can tell you that half of the 143 were fake,” he alleged
He further said the removal of subsidy had reduced what he described as conspicuous spending associated with the former arrangement
“And while it was running… I can tell you that, you can see the level of private jets have reduced in Nigeria because there’s no more subsidy,” he said
Kalu praised Tinubu for taking what he described as a difficult but necessary decision
“So, President Tinubu took a major decision that most people cannot take, and this is what Nigeria requires,” he said
Kalu seeks security reforms
While defending the administration’s economic reforms, Kalu said Tinubu still had significant work to do, particularly in restoring security and creating conditions for economic growth
“But President Tinubu have a lot of work to be done in the next couple of months and years, is to reform, to bring back the security dynamics back to normal,” he said
According to him, Nigeria had reached a stage where the focus should shift from stabilisation to economic growth, with improved security enabling farmers and businesses to return fully to productive activities
He identified insecurity, rural economic activity and local government autonomy as critical areas requiring attention
“What we need for the growth is to fight insecurity, farmers will go back to farm, people will go back to work in the rural areas, local government will have autonomy, local government councils will start disbursing money, and society will become normal,” Kalu said
The senator also appealed to Nigerians, particularly those from the South-East, to avoid dividing their political votes along ethnic lines
He urged his audience to support the APC and work towards political consolidation rather than division
“So, I will also appeal to you people to support our party To support us,” he said.
Kalu called for greater unity and cooperation among Nigerians, saying the country needed collaboration to overcome its challenges
“This is the time for consolidation for the government of Nigeria, for the people of Nigeria There’s a lot of hatred among us as Igbos, as Nigerians, as people of faith. We must love ourselves, we need love more than quarreling.
“We need assistance more than fighting We need hands to help each other. We need to be the brother’s keeper that we need to keep,” he said.