Senator Orji Kalu (APC) representing Abia-North says that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is labouring round the clock to resuscitate the Nation from its economic woes.
The former Abia Governor who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening added that the President is fully aware of the cries and hardship experienced by Nigerians brought as result of his administration’s Policies.
While appealing for Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu administration, Kalu disclosed that the President drives around Town to see things for himself.
He said; “The Government is trying to bring back the economy but it’s bringing hardship to our people and the President himself knows that Nigerians are suffering and hungry”.
“The President sometimes uses his car to drive around at Night to know what is happening in Abuja here. He goes around with one or two cars to see what is happening. He’s not a President that is locked up in a room. He is very courageous on his own because most of the decisions he has taken I might not be able to take them all.
Giving reasons behind the Nation’s economic challenges, Kalu who chairs the Senate Committee on Privatisation identified lack of economic plan since 1960, COVID-19 impact and high cost of Governance especially on elections.
Kalu advocated for a single term of six years and full implementation of the Steve Oronsaye report.
He explained;
“If we could have an economic plan like Countries like Canada and the USA, we wouldn’t have been here and we are yet to recover from Pressure of COVID 19.
“I have businesses in African countries , so the pressure of COVID is worldwide, but because they have a pre-existing developed economy and they have a lot Institutional palliative unlike our own where you just buy rice and beans and start to share”. They give palliatives to organised businesses because once you don’t grow the SMES you cannot have a strong economy.
“And why it looks so is because of the pressure on Naira, the Dollar and Fuel prices, these are issues that we ought to have overgrown by now.
“As Governor I advocated for one term of six years , former President Obasanjo said I was after him which marked the beginning of our quarrel because of the cost of running for elections. When you elect a Governor or President they are already thinking of a second term.
“Some of them are not even concerned with what they will do for the people”. The only way to solve this Problem is not to give any incentive to anybody to buy Political support. Just do six years for one term and it will go a long way, because most people think that they must make money for reelection”.
The former Senate Chief Whip also provided responses on rumours of having an interest to run for President in 2027 in which he dismissed saying though he is capable and qualified, his Party (All Progressives Congress) is confident in President Tinubu’s second term.
Kalu said he is focused on returning to the Senate in 2027;
“I don’t know where you got your rumour from , but I am qualified to run for President and I am competent but in a Constitutional democracy a Party that has a President that is running for the first term does not need another candidate. We already have a Candidate in Tinubu running for Presidency except if he decides not to run”.
Asked if he would run if President Tinubu decided not to run, he responded;
“…of course I will if the Party gives me the opportunity to fly their flag , it’s the Party that chooses a candidate while the Nigerian People will decide, it’s not about me , my interest in 2027 is to return as a Lawmaker”.
The belief that Senators earn jumbo salaries and live in affluence amidst poverty of the masses was dismissed by Kalu who also disclosed that he earns 14 Million Naira monthly which is used to foot the overhead costs, salaries, oversight functions, vehicles fueling and maintenance including the running of his constituency offices.
Kalu also said the Lawmakers are the most easily accessible Public office holders in the country and as such spend a lot to offset the Bills of their needy constituents.
“These are just rumours, I am a Businessman , I don’t have a Vehicle given to me, the Vehicles are bought for the Senate committees. Senators are provided with committee Vehicles. My committee got a Vehicle and I don’t own it and anybody who belongs to the committee can use the Vehicle.
“Some Government appointees use 5 – 6 Vehicles and nobody talks about it and the legislators are doing a lot to see that Nigerian people are carried along. We are the elected officials that can be easily reached, if someone is sick or someone’s child can’t pay his or her school fees they cry to us”. The committees get Vehicles and no Lawmaker owns any vehicle.
One of the most controversial issues that have always been raised against the national assembly is the luxury cars given to lawmakers as their official vehicles.
However, Senator Uzor Kalu dispelled that lawmakers are given official personal vehicles, saying that only the various committees in the national assembly are given vehicles.
“I am in the Senate and a lot of things are said about the Senators and I sit there quietly and watch, and most of these things are not true. All I know is that committees get vehicles, no lawmaker is given any vehicle,” the Senator said.
“These are just rumours, I am a Businessman , I don’t have a Vehicle given to me, the Vehicles are bought for the Senate committees. Senators are provided with committee Vehicles.
“My committee got a Vehicle and I don’t own it and anybody who belongs to the committee can use the Vehicle, Kalu emphasised.
