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“Tinubu Facing Political Sabotage, Not Security Failure — Sen. Kalu Defends Tinubu

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From Hassan Taiye

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that Nigeria’s escalating insecurity is being fuelled by political saboteurs determined to destabilise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Politics Sunday, a Channels Television current affairs programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, the former Governor of Abia State insisted that contrary to public fears, the President is “not sleeping” and is working relentlessly with security agencies to restore stability across the country.

Kalu stated categorically that many of the attacks and kidnappings across the country are “politically engineered,” alleging that certain individuals and groups are deliberately sponsoring insecurity to weaken the government.

“People are sponsoring this insecurity to destabilise the government. They want Tinubu to fail. They did the same thing to former President Jonathan. It is all about 2027.”

According to him, the President is fully aware of ongoing sabotage and is receiving sensitive briefings from the intelligence community briefings which, he stressed, are not shared with lawmakers.

“The President did not tell me what his intelligence community was saying. He will not. What I know is that he is working day and night. He is not sleeping because leadership is not a bed of roses.”

He added that Sunday’s cancellation of all presidential engagements was further proof that Tinubu is fully confronting the security situation.

“Tinubu will recover the kidnapped students; security agencies are fully activated”

Reacting to the recent abductions of schoolchildren, Kalu expressed confidence that the victims would be rescued.

“Those girls and other students that were kidnapped will be recovered. Our security operatives and service chiefs have gone fully on duty. We shall track these bandits down.”

The Senator said the country is going through a difficult moment but assured Nigerians that the government is equal to the task.

When pressed on whether Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed, Kalu argued that insecurity is not solely the Federal Government’s responsibility, adding that state governments have failed to use their powers effectively.

He maintained that he successfully handled similar crises while governing Abia State:

“As Governor of Abia, we faced similar challenges and I handled it very well. I established the Bakassi security outfit. I drove criminals away. People could sleep on their property in Aba.”

He went as far as offering himself for temporary emergency deployment:

“If most of these states want to declare a state of emergency and send me there for six months, I will keep it peaceful. I know what to do.”

Responding to calls for him to reveal the actors undermining national security, Kalu declined.

“I can’t mention anybody’s name. The intelligence community is on it. If they feel it’s necessary to call their names, they will. I am not in the intelligence sector; I’m a lawmaker.”

Kalu stated that the National Assembly is already working nonstop on legislative solutions but insisted that state police cannot be implemented without constitutional amendment.

“To implement state police, we need two-thirds of state assemblies. In the 9th Senate we tried, but it failed to get approval from the states. You can’t blame the National Assembly.”

Nnamdi Kanu: “He incited people and people died — but his case must be solved politically”

Senator Kalu devoted significant attention to the conviction and sentencing of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, calling for a calm, political, and non-emotional approach to resolving the crisis.

“If you incite people to kill, you must face trial. Kanu’s words incited people and people died. Over 30,000 Igbos were killed; many lost businesses. But this problem must be solved politically.”

Citing recent positions expressed by Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Uzor Kalu, he said the Igbo nation must shift from confrontation to negotiation.

“It’s not time for noise-making. Let’s settle down, go on our knees and find a political way for the man to be released. Let Igbos stop being emotional.”

He revealed he is already engaging relevant authorities:

“I have been working with the Federal Government on how to solve this issue. I will be contacting the Attorney-General and the President on how best to settle it.”

Kalu recounts his role in securing Kanu’s 2017 bail

The Senator recounted how he fought for Kanu’s release under the Buhari administration:

“When I wanted to join APC in 2016, I told them I won’t join if Kanu is not released on bail. Buhari agreed. Malami and Lawal Daura helped. I know the pressure I personally put before he was released in 2017.”

However, he insisted that the thousands of Igbos who lost their lives, businesses, and livelihoods during the crisis must not be forgotten.

“Nobody is talking about the Igbos that were killed, the businesses destroyed. I don’t want to go emotional here. A lot of Igbos were killed.”

Kalu condemned insults directed at the trial judge.

“Justice Omotosho is a messenger of the court. If you are not pleased, you go to the appellate court. You don’t insult a judge.”

He confirmed that Kanu’s legal team has already appealed the judgment and said he would intervene only on the political side, not the judicial one.

Kalu said the Senate leadership is actively working on the crisis:

“I just left the Senate President’s office. We are discussing how to solve this problem. We will hand over our resolutions to the security agencies.”

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Benue Killings: Tiv Youths Give Politicians, Governments 90-Day Ultimatum

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The Tiv Youths Organisation (TYO), Worldwide, has issued a 90-day ultimatum to political aspirants across all parties and to governments at the local, state and federal levels to put an end to the ongoing killings by suspected herdsmen in Benue State.

The warning was issued by the Acting President General of the organisation, Comrade Patrick Terfa Angbagh, amid continued attacks, loss of lives and the displacement of Tiv communities. He described the situation as a clear failure of leadership and governance, stressing that the blood of Benue people must no longer be reduced to political statistics.

According to Angbagh, the Tiv people have endured prolonged suffering marked by repeated attacks, mass burials and what he described as “empty condolences.”

“The Tiv people and Benue citizens have suffered enough pain. If within the next 90 days these killings do not stop, then no aspirant—regardless of party affiliation—should expect to campaign or seek votes in Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

The organisation warned that political ambition without a commitment to protecting human lives was unacceptable, adding that Tiv youths across the state were ready to mobilise peacefully to resist any attempt to normalise insecurity for electoral gain.

Angbagh emphasised that security should not be treated as a campaign slogan but as a constitutional responsibility. He called on the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security deployment and ensure accountability among security agencies.

He also urged the Benue State Government to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action, while charging local government authorities to assume responsibility for community protection and the establishment of effective early-warning systems.

The Tiv Youths Organisation cautioned that silence, indifference or political exploitation of the crisis would no longer be tolerated, warning that Benue must not be turned into a killing field ahead of future elections.

“Any aspirant who cannot defend the lives of the people has no moral right to ask for their votes,” Angbagh stated.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, justice and the protection of Tiv ancestral lands, and called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organisations to join in demanding urgent action to end the killings.

“Enough is enough. Benue lives matter,” the organisation declared.

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Woro Bandits’ Attack: Kwara Gov sets up seven-person committee

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the appointment of a seven-person committee to interface with Woro community on humanitarian support that the Governor announced earlier on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye said the Chairman of the Committee is Hon. Ahmed Kiwozi, a former lawmaker from Kaiama Local Government Area.

Other members are the Vice Chairman of the Local Government Council Aisha Abubakar Sadiq; Alhaji Abubakar Mora; Woro Village Head Alhaji Umar Bio Saliu; and a representative each of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP); and a representative of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government who should be a female.

The Committee, which has four weeks to carry out its assignment, will interface with the community leaders on rebuilding efforts, areas of need of the survivors, and other outstanding issues.

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Tinubu Holds High-Level APC Meeting at Presidential Villa

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Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met with top stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to review preparations for the party’s forthcoming convention and congresses.

The closed-door meeting brought together members of the APC national leadership, state governors, and key figures from the party’s caucus in the National Assembly.

Among those present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; House of Representatives Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; Chief Whip of the House, Usman Bello Kumo; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru.

Speaking after the meeting, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described the engagement as brief but productive, noting that it focused on aligning preparations and strengthening unity within the party ahead of the convention and congresses.

According to Yilwatda, discussions centred on deepening collaboration between the party’s national leadership, sub-national governments, the National Assembly, and the party structure. “It was a brief meeting to review our preparations for the convention and congresses and to strengthen synergy among all arms of government,” he said.

He added that the party’s rapid growth, marked by the influx of new members, governors, and lawmakers, made inclusivity a key priority. “The party is expanding every day. We are growing beyond bounds, and we want to ensure that in the process of this growth, nobody is left behind,” Yilwatda stated.

The APC chairman also praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a seasoned politician whose guidance continues to shape the party’s strategic direction. “Mr President is a very experienced politician. His advice was remarkable, and his deep understanding of the political cycle is driving the strength and expansion of the party,” he said.

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