Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North and a former governor of Abia State, has made it clear that he is prepared to run for president in 2027, should President Bola Tinubu decide not to contest for a second term. Kalu shared his thoughts in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also spoke about the current state of Nigeria’s economy.
He said, “Let me tell you, first and foremost, I’m qualified to be a President, and I’m competent. We have already a candidate in our political party unless he is not running. If the party gives me the opportunity to fly their flag, it’s a privilege, it’s not something that will I like? It’s an opportunity given by the party. It’s not about me. My interest in 2027 is to come back, be a lawmaker, sit in the Senate and work in the Senate.”
According to Kalu, Nigeria is facing major economic challenges because the country lacks a proper economic structure. He believes the government should reduce its expenses to address the situation. He noted that while President Tinubu is making efforts to rebuild Nigeria’s institutions, there is still more work to be done.
“The record is that there is a worldwide deflation all over the world. It is bad in Nigeria because we have no economic processes. We never had an economy since 60 years ago. There is no organized economy here. We have no light, we have nothing, and our stock exchange is just building up. The institutions that drive the economy are very weak, and this is what President Bola Tinubu is trying to rebuild to make sure the institutions are strong.
“Because if you continue with these handouts and a weak economy, you are not going to go on, somebody must make tough decisions. He might be right or wrong. He’s making tough decisions for the future. The question is the Nigerian people, are they hungry? The answer is yes. But our looks worse because we didn’t make decisions at all.
“People in government ought to maintain austerity measures, I believe they should. There should be more sewing our coat according to our size, scaling down on most things people in government do, scaling down on more gifts the government gives to other countries, scaling down on so many things”, the Senator said.
Kalu expressed confidence in his ability to lead the country, highlighting his qualifications and past experience as a governor. He also mentioned that President Tinubu’s decisions, while well-intended, may not always be the right solution, and there should be careful consideration in addressing Nigeria’s problems.
As 2027 approaches, Kalu’s declaration has sparked conversations about the future of Nigeria’s leadership, with many awaiting further developments in the political landscape. Whether or not President Tinubu runs for a second term, Kalu has positioned himself as a strong contender for the country’s highest office.
