Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, has shared insights into his discussions with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti.
During a visit to Governor Otti at his Ngwa residence and a separate meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja, Senator Kalu emphasized the need for modern, impactful governance.
While addressing journalists, he highlighted his commitment to providing constructive advice privately rather than making public assessments.
Kalu revealed that he urged President Tinubu to abandon obsolete empowerment initiatives like distributing tricycles, popularly known as “Keke Napep,” and motorcycles.
He expressed gratitude that the President acknowledged his advice by excluding such provisions from the 2025 budget.
“I told him that we cannot be doing empowerment through items such as keke Napep and motorcycles, it’s no longer modern, we should build roads, schools and other infrastructures that are in line with current realities.
“I know Nigerians are suffering and President Tinubu knows that the people are suffering and they are working on it.”
Kalu reiterated that he had been granted unfettered access to President Tinubu saying that he’ll not hesitate to criticize the President whenever he tows the wrong path of governance with regard to his policy decisions.
He said, “I never pretended to President Obasanjo, Good luck Jonathan or President Yar’adua and I won’t pretend to President Tinubu once he’s wrong he is wrong and he knows.
“I’m not looking to get anything, possibly I’ll go back and contest as a Senator and my constituents are behind me. The greatest asset that Tinubu has on me today is that he has given me a pass to come and visit him on a 24 hours basis so he will hear the truth, the truth is sacrosanct.
Reflecting on his meeting with Governor Otti, Kalu refrained from public criticism or praise, maintaining that his approach remains consistent. “As a father of the state, my duty is to offer guidance privately. I did the same with former Governors Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu,” he stated.
Kalu also commented on ongoing tax reform discussions, underscoring the importance of fostering productivity and competitiveness among states. He believes these reforms can position Nigeria alongside global economic leaders like China but stressed the need for more extensive consultations.
“Tax reform is very progressive, only that the consultation was not done well and we need to reform a lot of laws in Nigeria, they are obsolete laws , we cannot be competing in the 21st century with the laws we have.
“If you look at China they look like superstars but they are not, there’s nothing special about them but it’s because they decide to engage in competition.
“The 36 states of the Federation need to face competition. That’s what the Tax reform is all about but we need to discuss it with other regions of Nigeria and President Tinubu knows that , I’m sure he is making a lot of in-home consultations as we speak. No law is perfect.
“Any law that is made by the National Assembly still needs some amendment. If we make a bad law for ourselves we amend it and if we make a good law we leave it. Nigerians are taking too much pride in themselves, otherwise there’s nothing wrong with Tax Reform. I am a progressive”, Kalu stated.
