Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, has clarified that his endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 stems from his conviction, not from a desire for personal gain or political favor.
During an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Kalu addressed recent criticisms and misconceptions surrounding his public show of support for the President.
Kalu sparked widespread conversation after he was seen wearing attire branded with the message: “Tinubu for President 2027” during a Senate plenary session.
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Responding to the controversy over his clothing choice, the senator said there was nothing inappropriate or unusual about it.
“Who else would have made that dress other than Aba tailors? It was made in Aba, dyed in Aba and delivered in Aba. It is only Aba people who are hardworking that can do it,” he said.
“It’s very fashionable and I will wear it again.”He dismissed suggestions that the outfit signaled political servility or an attempt to curry favor.
“Can a man like me be sycophantic? I am not running for anything. Where am I running to? I’m only running to return to the Senate. It’s not political sycophancy. I am a man that can’t be sycophantic. It is a uniform for 2027.”
When the host pointed out that the outfit was worn in 2025, Kalu explained, “Sure, my house manager just made it available that morning and I wore it. I don’t see anything wrong in wearing it. It’s you press people that saw something wrong. INEC has lifted the ban on campaign, but we are preparing.”
On whether he now serves as Tinubu’s informal campaign director, he replied: “What is wrong with that? I will be very happy to accept it and do the job for him. I don’t have anything to regret in doing the job.”
Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State also stressed the importance of national unity, saying support for Tinubu should not be seen through a regional lens.
“President Tinubu is not the President of the South but the candidate of Nigeria, and I am a Nigerian. I have always said this every Nigerian should stop addressing himself or herself by region. I have asked for legislation where I suggested we remove all local government and state information on forms; people should only fill that they are Nigerians,” he said.
When questioned about whether political conversations about 2027 are premature, he defended the activities of his party, describing them as legitimate expressions of democratic engagement.
“We are a political party and there must be activities of a political party. We had a midterm assessment of our party where the whole party stakeholders gathered. I was in the Senate to do my legislative job, and the journalists ran over me. It’s my dress and I have the right to wear anything I like.
There is freedom of association and freedom of speech. I also have the right to say what I want to say.”
Kalu also used the platform to clarify his recent remarks on the economic mindset of some Nigerians, which drew criticism.
“I’m not regretting what I said. I work hard for every penny. Most rich people are waiting on their beds to take money from subsidies and sell dollars. These are what they have been doing. But it’s not about all Nigerians; I said most Nigerians not all.”
He further elaborated on his support for the removal of fuel subsidies, despite being directly affected as a business owner.
“People fighting Tinubu are those that speculate from the dollars. They lie on their bed, they collect dollars for ₦100 and make ₦500 on top of the dollar.The removal of the subsidy affected me because I have two tank farms. So Tinubu made the best decision to stop the subsidy for the money to go to the rightful owners, which is the people.”
The Abia Senator pointed to his record in entrepreneurship and employment as evidence of his commitment to the nation’s welfare.
“I think about the people more than most of those attacking me. They have money, but they can’t build any industry in Nigeria. I still have about 14,000 Nigerian employees on my payroll today, and I’m building more industries to employ more. When I speak the truth, you know I don’t bend my words. I’m not a politician in the first instance I just found myself doing this.”
He also revisited his early political involvement, especially his contribution to the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I have never benefited from the government. I brought the money used to form the PDP. Ask any PDP member in 1998 and 1999. I am the biggest importer of rice, sugar, and other confectioneries. I was a petroleum dealer. At my early age, I brought my personal money to fund the PDP. I gave former President Obasanjo over $1 million to campaign with and the party over ₦500 million to start the party because they were looking for money.
“The only few people who could have brought money were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and TY Danjuma. Others had no money.”
When asked whether he regrets helping to establish the PDP, Kalu said he bears no grudges.“I am not quarrelling with Obasanjo. He is a friend of the family, and I don’t quarrel with anybody. Nigerians must come together. What we need is to build a vibrant economy. Tinubu, Atiku, Amaechi they are best of friends. Let’s all come together. Every day we come to fight, and abuse is no longer fashionable.”
Evaluating President Tinubu’s performance in his first two years in office, Kalu offered a balanced perspective.
“I am a businessman. I saw the economy in the last few years. If you see the industry, the manufacturers are crying. But the dollar has been stable and the cost of fuel has been stable. Manufacturers are bearing the brunt now. I have told the President he is on top of the situation. The macro side is coming up, but other sides are not. Nigerians in the lower area are still suffering. The changes are still trickling down,” he said.
He also suggested critical reforms in the administration’s approach to monetary and security policies.
“The insurgency is the major cause. Some people working with Tinubu must go. Some ministers should go even in the security sector. I have also advised on the use of dollars on the street. If you check South Africa, they have firm control of their currency. There should be authorised sellers of dollars.”
Kalu believes President Tinubu should be given more time to turn the economy around.
“President Tinubu needs a few more years. I think the economy will have good sense of direction in two years, and the benefits will start coming. This economy has been in shambles, and it was not caused by anybody.”
Regarding Tinubu’s campaign promise to reduce poverty, the senator expressed optimism, while urging patriotism among citizens.
“There is no rocket science about it. Nigerians should be patriotic. The whole world is still feeling the effects of COVID. The U.S. has social security we don’t. I am against abusing each other. The hatred among the political class, social class, and tribes must stop. I am a lawmaker, not a ruler.”
He concluded by acknowledging the frustrations of the public, but defended his party’s record. “Nigerians ought to be angry, but my party has not failed Nigerians. Nigerians are suffering because the political class is doing terrorism. The political war is causing people pain. People who want to grab power some of them are not even looking for money; they just want power. We should be able to lift Nigerians up.”
