Kalu predicts Soludo’s defection to APC

… Hails Tinubu’s Leadership and Economic Reforms

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed confidence that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, will soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a “natural progressive” whose political philosophy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ideals.

Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday, Kalu — a former Abia State governor and current senator representing Abia North — said Soludo’s move to the APC was only a matter of time, pending the resolution of certain legal matters.

“Soludo is a progressive like President Tinubu, like me, like the Senate President. He has no alternative but to join us in the APC,” Kalu declared.

The senator noted that many governors and politicians across Nigeria were gravitating toward the APC, drawn by what he described as President Tinubu’s visionary and inclusive leadership.

“No one is forcing anybody to join the APC — not me, not the Senate President, not even the President. People are coming on their own because they see the direction of progress,” he added.

Kalu, a founding member of the APC, reiterated his commitment to strengthening the party’s base in the South East ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also pledged to support his younger brother’s political aspirations within the party while distancing himself from candidates in other political platforms.

Turning to national issues, Kalu reaffirmed his confidence in the Tinubu administration, noting that ongoing reforms would eventually stabilize the economy and restore public trust.

He dismissed earlier rumours of plans to remove the Senate President, saying, “As you can see, everything is calm. The Senate is united and focused on passing laws that will help President Tinubu deliver on his agenda.”

Addressing the country’s economic hardship, Kalu admitted that Nigerians were facing difficult times but urged patience. He argued that policies like fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification were necessary for long-term stability.

“As a businessman, I feel the pain but also see the progress. The macroeconomic indicators are improving, though the micro level remains tough. The key challenge now is ensuring that relief reaches the masses,” he said.

On the political outlook for 2027, Kalu declared President Tinubu the most dominant figure in Nigerian politics, asserting that:

“The 2027 election will be Tinubu versus Tinubu. There is no cohesive opposition. Our party is strong, grounded, and with the people.”

Kalu also reacted to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on violence in Nigeria, agreeing that both Christians and Muslims continue to fall victim to extremist attacks.

“What Trump said is not false. Nigerians are being killed whether they are Christians or Muslims. In Plateau, victims are mostly Christians; in Zamfara, they are Muslims. These are terrorists, and they must be called by their name,” he stated.

The senator revealed that he had engaged with two former U.S. presidents and more than 60 American lawmakers, who expressed willingness to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. He suggested that recent Nigerian Air Force operations might have benefited from U.S. intelligence cooperation.

However, Kalu criticized Western powers for destabilizing Africa through their roles in the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, which he said worsened regional insecurity through arms proliferation.

Despite these challenges, Kalu maintained optimism about Nigeria’s trajectory.

“The government is taking the right steps, and I believe President Tinubu will overcome these challenges,” he concluded.