Orji Uzor Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, has revealed his intention to contest for the presidency in 2027 if one crucial condition is met.
The former Abia State governor said he may contest for Presidency if President Bola Tinubu does not seek re-election.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kalu stated, “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 I will 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.”
Kalu attributed Nigeria’s economic struggles to the lack of economic processes and an organized economy.
“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,” he lamented.
The Senator suggested that the government should prioritize austerity measures and reduce expenses. “People in government ought to maintain austerity measures. There should be more sewing our coat according to our size, scaling down on most things people in government do.”
The Senator revealed that President Tinubu is aware of the economic situation and often ventures out at night to gauge the pulse of the nation. “The President himself knows that Nigerians are suffering; the President knows that Nigerians are hungry.”
“He is a street person, he knows the street very well. The President sometimes uses his car to go around and know what is happening in Abuja here.”
