Former Abia State governor and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has accused some politicians of sponsoring bandits and terrorists in a bid to destabilise President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Kalu made the allegation on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he linked the recent rise in killings and abductions to political manoeuvres ahead of the next election cycle.
‘Attacks Follow a Familiar Election Pattern’
The senator said the renewed violence was not random but part of a deliberate plan to put pressure on the government. According to him, the trend mirrors what played out under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
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“What we are seeing is a routine that comes with elections. People use insecurity to put pressure on the government in power,” he said. “You can remember when President Jonathan was here, a similar thing happened.”
Kalu declined to disclose the identities of the alleged sponsors but insisted they were determined to ensure President Tinubu fails in office.
Foreign and Local Interests Involved — Kalu
The former governor also claimed that both local actors and international collaborators were fuelling the violence to create instability.
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“The terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of the international community and local people who really want to destabilise the government,” he said.
Tinubu Focused on Security Response
Despite expressing concern over the escalating situation, Kalu commended President Tinubu for taking charge of national security matters. He noted that the President had cancelled engagements over the weekend to focus on the crisis following several high-profile abductions.
“For the first time, you see the president cancelling all his engagements. Today is Sunday, and he faced everything about security,” he said.
Abducted Schoolgirls Will Be Rescued — Kalu
Kalu assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of kidnapped victims, including schoolgirls seized in recent attacks.
“Those girls will be recovered. The government is making every effort to make sure these people are recovered,” he stated, describing the situation as “not the best of times” for the country.
The senator also praised the military and other security agencies, noting that service chiefs and operatives had “gone fully on duty” to restore normalcy across affected communities.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
