In a spirited defense of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has assured Nigerians that the current hardships caused by policy changes will soon give way to prosperity.
Kalu, representing Abia-North in the Senate, declared that Tinubu’s reform agenda—though painful in the short term—is both necessary and destined to set the nation on a path to sustainable growth. The former Abia State governor made this assertion during a New Year visit to Chief Daniel Eke, a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at his residence in Igbere, Abia State.
Describing Nigeria’s legal framework as antiquated, Kalu emphasized the urgent need to modernize laws, some of which have been in place for over a century. “All our laws need reformation. They are over 100 years old,” Kalu stated. He stressed that without such updates, Nigeria risks stagnating in a rapidly evolving global economy.
He lauded Tinubu’s tax reform initiative as a progressive step but critiqued its implementation. “The Tax Reform Bill is not bad, but we need to carry other regions along. Nigerians were not sufficiently educated about its benefits,” he observed, calling for broader consultations to foster understanding and acceptance across the country.
Drawing a parallel with China’s meteoric rise, Kalu advocated for increased competition among Nigeria’s 36 states. According to him, fostering regional competition will unlock latent potentials, spur innovation, and drive productivity.
“We can’t make any headway as a nation if we don’t go the China way, which is competition,” he said. “Each state should compete with others in terms of productivity. The practice of sharing free money in Abuja cannot continue.”
Kalu emphasized that Nigeria’s reliance on federal allocations has stifled innovation and development at the state level. He called on states to harness their unique resources, saying, “No state in Nigeria is poor. Every state is equally endowed, and competition is the way forward.”
The senator did not shy away from acknowledging the hardships Nigerians are enduring as a result of the reforms. However, he expressed optimism about the long-term benefits.
“President Tinubu is fully aware of the pains that people are passing through, and I am also aware,” Kalu said. “But there are reforms going on, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I urge Nigerians to be patient and know that we are going through a process.”
He further encouraged Nigerians to draw inspiration from countries like China, where sustained economic reforms led to a 10% annual growth rate over 35 years, transforming the nation into a global powerhouse.
In addition to economic reforms, Kalu underscored the importance of bolstering Nigeria’s educational infrastructure. “To catch up with other nations, we should build more universities. We are still backward,” he remarked. He urged the government to prioritize education as a foundation for national development.
Responding to Kalu’s visit, Chief Daniel Eke praised the senator for his dedication to his constituents. Eke commended Kalu’s efforts to bring meaningful empowerment to Abia-North, contrasting them with other politicians who focus on tokenistic gestures.
“Other senators have given frying pans as empowerment, but what we need are good roads, employment, infrastructure, and industries that will employ our people,” Eke said. “Senator Kalu has established processing companies that create jobs, which is what matters most.”
Kalu reiterated his commitment to serving his constituents, stating that his role as a senator takes precedence over his private business interests. “I had to leave my private companies worth millions of dollars to concentrate on my duty as a senator,” he said. “My duty is sacred, and I will never compromise.”
He also highlighted his efforts to empower his constituents, likening his legislative impact to his tenure as governor of Abia State. “I have returned the power back to the people to decide on who governs them,” he said.
