Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, has explained that his public endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027 is neither motivated by personal ambition nor political flattery.
Speaking in a recent interview on Politics Today, a current affairs program on Channels Television hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Kalu emphasized his commitment to national unity and transparent political engagement.
The senator became a subject of public discussion last week after attending Senate plenary dressed in an outfit emblazoned with the slogan “Tinubu for President 2027.” In response to criticism surrounding his attire, Kalu was quick to highlight the significance of the garment’s origin.
“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,” Kalu remarked. “It’s very fashionable and I will wear it again.”
Addressing accusations that the outfit represented political sycophancy, Kalu firmly rejected the notion, stating, “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 reminded by the interviewer that he had previously worn the same outfit in 2025, the senator responded candidly: “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.”
Kalu was also asked if he considers himself the unofficial campaign manager for President Tinubu. He welcomed the suggestion, saying, “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.”
On the topic of regional representation and political identity, Kalu emphasized a vision of national unity over sectionalism. “President Tinubu is not the President of the South but the candidate of Nigeria, and I am a Nigerian. I have always said 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 confronted about the sensitivity of discussing the 2027 elections so early, especially after publicly endorsing Tinubu, Kalu defended the political process: “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.”
The interview further touched on Kalu’s recent controversial remarks regarding Nigerians and the economy. Responding to criticism over his statement accusing some Nigerians of depending on “easy money,” he clarified: “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.”
Kalu elaborated, “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.”
Asked if he regrets forming the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the past, Kalu expressed a reconciliatory tone: “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.”