Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission, has recounted how he was mocked and called “mad” for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2016, at a time when the party had no strong foothold in the South-East.
Speaking during an appearance on TVC News Journalists’ Hangout hosted by Babajide Otitoju on Monday, Kalu said his early decision to align with the APC was based on conviction, not convenience. The statement was shared by his media aide, Kenneth Udeh.
“When I joined the APC in 2016, I was the only South-East leader in the party. People mocked me, called me names, and thought I was mad to have joined a party that had no governor or lawmaker from our region,” Kalu said.
The former Abia State governor emphasized that the APC’s growing presence in the South-East is not the result of political defections or elite influence, but of “consistency, sacrifice, and hard work.”
“We are not relying on governors or defections to win [in 2027]. We are relying on hard work. Politics is about commitment and results, not noise,” Kalu said, expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu and APC candidates will perform strongly in the region in the next general elections.
Kalu pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects as proof of federal government commitment to the region. “Our people are beginning to see the progress in roads and infrastructure. The President has opened up roads long abandoned, and he’s doing more,” he said.
He also cited the 2019 presidential election results in his Abia North constituency as a sign of APC’s growing influence. “President Buhari got over 60% of the votes in my constituency. Tinubu didn’t do well in 2023 because we didn’t mobilize enough, but this time, we are ready.”
On the issue of marginalization, Kalu offered a nuanced perspective. “The South-East is not really marginalised, but we were put out of the scheme of things since after the civil war. I didn’t start the war, I didn’t fight in it, neither did I end it. What we need is sincerity and equity so we can all move together and develop the country.”
Responding to a question about the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Kalu maintained that the matter is before a competent court and should not be politicized.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s case is before a competent court, and it would be unfair for me to comment on his release. Nigerians must learn to respect the judiciary,” he said.
Kalu also reiterated his support for President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, describing the hardship Nigerians are currently facing as temporary. “Reforms come with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nigerians are feeling pain, yes, but these pains will lead to long-term gain.”
He revealed that he has sponsored a bill on social welfare and investment to help reduce poverty and plans to meet with President Tinubu to fast-track its implementation.
Highlighting federal infrastructure efforts in the region, Kalu listed road projects linking Enugu, Lokpanta, Aba, Port Harcourt, Bende, and Arochukwu, and expressed optimism that the 2026 national budget would deliver even more for the South-East.
“Before now, those roads were impassable. Today, they are being rebuilt. The President is doing a lot in our region, and I’m confident that the 2026 budget will reflect even more development for our people,” he added.
