By Henry Umoru
Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North) has taken a swipe at critics of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, saying that the electoral body remains an autonomous institution deserving of respect.
The former Abia State governor particularly attacked those raising allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to undermine opposition parties through INEC.
Answering questions from journalists on Tuesday as part of activities marking his 66th birthday, Senator Kalu, who described claims by opposition elements, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as “frivolous” and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic image, said. that the APC has no control over INEC, stressing that the electoral umpire, under the leadership of Professor Amupitan, operates independently.
Kalu said, “The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. INEC is an independent body and we have a lot of respect for the chairman of INEC. He is an erudite professor of law… So, let us stop this frivolity.
“People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously instead of de-marketing the country.”
The former Chief Whip of the Senate, who rejected insinuations that the ruling party was coercing politicians, particularly governors, to defect into its fold, however, maintained that party membership remains a matter of personal choice and negotiation, noting that President Bola Tinubu has never pressured anyone to join the APC.
He said, “President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party… If a governor decides to join APC, that is his business. When you come, we negotiate; if it is good, you stay; if not, you go your way. Nobody is forcing anybody.”
When asked to speak on insinuations that ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Senate Presidency may be zoned to the South East, Kalu, who explained that he was unaware of any such arrangement, described zoning decisions as the exclusive prerogative of party leadership.
While not ruling himself out, Kalu, who emphasised that he is not lobbying for any position, said, “I’m not aware of that. It is for the leadership of the party to decide. If anything is given to me, I will take, but I’m not going out of my way to look for anything.”
Addressing concerns raised by some members of the 1999 class of governors about alleged marginalisation by the current administration, Kalu downplayed the claims, stressing that President Tinubu maintains cordial relations with his contemporaries, just as he cited recent interactions between the president and several former governors as evidence of ongoing engagement.
On governance and regional development, Kalu, who cautioned against narratives suggesting that the South East has been sidelined in successive administrations, said that both the late Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu have contributed meaningfully to national development, including the South East.
“Every President has something to add. Buhari has contributed his quota, Tinubu is contributing his quota. We are getting what we are supposed to get… maybe even more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” Kalu said.
When asked to speak on the nation’s economy, the Senator offered a nuanced assessment of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda, stating that while macroeconomic indicators show progress, challenges persist at the grassroots level due to insecurity and sabotage.
“The upper end of the reform is working… investors are coming in. But the lower end has problems because of insecurity and sabotage. Reforms take time; they don’t happen in one day,” he explained, drawing parallels with long-term reform trajectories in countries like China and Singapore.
Kalu further expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s re-election prospects in 2027, describing the opposition as weak and lacking viable alternatives. He argued that the APC’s growing membership base and nationwide acceptance position it strongly ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“I don’t think anybody will defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election… APC is like a moving train. Even in places that were not APC before, people are joining. We are rocking like a hurricane,” he declared.
The Senator urged political actors to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and presenting credible policy alternatives, rather than engaging in what he described as unproductive criticism.
Article 2027: Orji Kalu dismisses INEC interference claims Live On NgGossips.
