The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that his public support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is not driven by personal ambition or political sycophancy.
Speaking during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kalu addressed recent public backlash over his outfit, worn during a Senate plenary, boldly inscribed with “Tinubu for President 2027.” Addressing the backlash, he said there was nothing unusual about his attire.
“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,” he said. “It’s very fashionable and I will wear it again.”
Responding to accusations that his outfit was a form of sycophancy, Kalu replied, “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 who can’t be sycophantic. It is a uniform for 2027.”
When reminded by the anchor that he wore the outfit in 2025, Kalu replied, “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.”
Asked whether he is now the unofficial campaign manager of President Tinubu, Kalu said, “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 issue of a Southern candidate seeking re-election, he emphasised national unity over regional identity: “President Tinubu is not the President of the South but the candidate of Nigeria, and I am a Nigerian.
When asked whether it is insensitive for politicians to already be speaking about 2027, especially after he publicly endorsed Tinubu, the senator defended his party’s political activity.
“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 also touched on his recent controversial remarks about Nigerians and the economy. Responding to criticism that he accused Nigerians of depending on “easy money”, Kalu said, “I’m not regretting what I said. I work hard for every penny. Most rich people are waiting on these 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.”
He added, “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 subsidy removal 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.”
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