Kenneth Udeh from Abuja
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has defended his recent appearance in the Nigerian Senate wearing a dress branded with “Tinubu 2027,” describing it as a fashionable garment made in Aba, and dismissing criticisms that the attire amounted to political sycophancy.
The former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the 9th Senate made the comments during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday evening.
Reacting to public uproar and media reactions following his choice of clothing during plenary, Kalu said:
“It is a very beautiful dress. I forgot to wear it for this interview. I would have worn it. I have thousands. Most people like 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.”
When asked whether he would wear the same attire again despite public backlash, he replied confidently:
“It’s very fashionable and I will wear it again. I have it in different colours.”
The interviewer pressed further, pointing to critics who have accused him of sycophancy and premature campaigning. Kalu waved off the suggestion, stating:
“Can a man like me be sycophantic? I am not running for anything other than to return to the Senate. It’s not political sycophancy. I am a man that can’t be sycophantic. I wore it because it’s a uniform for 2027.”
On whether his action was an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term, the senator didn’t hesitate;
“What is wrong with that? I would be very happy to accept being an unofficial campaign manager for President Tinubu and do the job for him. I have nothing to regret in doing that job.”
He added that there was no law preventing him from wearing the dress and that he was exercising his rights:
“We are a political party and there must be activities of a political party. We had a mid-term assessment of our party where all the stakeholders gathered.
It’s my dress and I have the right to wear anything I like. There is freedom of association and freedom of speech.”
Asked if his action could be seen as inappropriate given the challenges Nigerians are currently facing, Kalu responded:
“It’s you who press people that see something wrong. I don’t see anything wrong with wearing it.”
The senator insisted that even if his choice of clothing sparked debate, he was not concerned:
“INEC has not lifted the ban on campaign preparations but we are preparing.”
The senator’s remarks are likely to intensify political discourse within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as conversations around the 2027 elections begin to surface.
His unapologetic stance signals early alignment and mobilisation around a potential second-term bid for President Tinubu.
Senator Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, remains a prominent voice within the party and has continued to publicly affirm his support for Tinubu’s leadership, both in words and now in attire.
