Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has confidently declared that Soludo will soon join APC, describing the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, as a true progressive whose political philosophy aligns with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to Kalu, it is only a matter of time before the governor of Anambra officially dumps the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja, the senator representing Abia North noted that Soludo shares similar developmental and economic ideologies with key members of the APC. He asserted that once ongoing political and legal matters are resolved, the Anambra State governor will naturally gravitate toward the ruling party. “Soludo is a progressive like President Tinubu, like me, like the Senate President. He has no choice but to join us in the APC,” Kalu said confidently.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja, the senator representing Abia North noted that Soludo shares similar developmental and economic ideologies with key members of the APC. He asserted that once ongoing political and legal matters are resolved, the Anambra State governor will naturally gravitate toward the ruling party. “Soludo is a progressive like President Tinubu, like me, like the Senate President. He has no choice but to join us in the APC,” Kalu said confidently.
Kalu, who served as the former governor of Abia State, pointed out that many governors and political leaders across the country are already moving toward the APC. He attributed this trend to President Tinubu’s leadership style, which he described as both visionary and inclusive. According to him, no one is being compelled to defect to the party; rather, people are voluntarily joining because they see the APC as the party of progress and national development.
He emphasized, “No one is forcing anybody to join the APC—not me, not the Senate President, not even the President himself. People are simply aligning with progress.”
A founding member of the APC, Kalu reiterated his dedication to strengthening the party’s influence, particularly in the South East region, ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also expressed his full support for his younger brother’s political aspirations under the APC platform while making it clear that he would not back any candidate from opposition parties.
Turning to national matters, Kalu reaffirmed his faith in the administration of President Tinubu. He noted that although the early days of the administration faced political turbulence, especially rumors about attempts to remove the Senate President, the situation had since stabilized. “As you can see, the Senate is united, and we are focused on making laws that will help President Tinubu achieve his goals,” he explained.
Addressing Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Kalu admitted that citizens are enduring difficult times due to reforms like the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates. However, he encouraged Nigerians to be patient, assuring that the policies would soon yield tangible results. “As a businessman, I understand the pain. But I also recognize that the economy is gradually improving at the macro level, even though many still struggle at the micro level. What matters now is ensuring that relief reaches ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Discussing the political landscape ahead of 2027, the senator maintained that President Tinubu remains the most influential political figure in Nigeria. In his words, “The 2027 election will be Tinubu versus Tinubu. There is no strong opposition right now. The APC is united, well-structured, and deeply connected to the people.”
Kalu also spoke about international issues, particularly comments made by former US President Donald Trump regarding religious violence in Nigeria. He stated that Trump’s remarks were not entirely wrong since both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorist attacks across various regions. “Let’s be honest, Nigerians are being killed regardless of religion. In Plateau, Christians are mostly affected; in Zamfara, it’s Muslims. These are acts of terrorism and must be addressed as such,” he emphasized.
Revealing details of his recent diplomatic engagements, Kalu disclosed that he had spoken with two former US presidents and several American lawmakers about Nigeria’s security situation. He said the United States expressed readiness to support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations, noting that the recent surge in Nigerian Air Force strikes might be linked to intelligence collaboration with Washington.
Kalu, however, criticized the United States and its Western allies for their roles in destabilizing Africa following the overthrow of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. According to him, the proliferation of arms from those regions worsened insecurity across the continent.
Despite Nigeria’s current security and economic challenges, the senator expressed optimism about the country’s future. He insisted that the Tinubu-led government is on the right path and will eventually overcome these difficulties. “The government is taking the right steps. I strongly believe that with time, President Tinubu will succeed in rebuilding this nation,” Kalu concluded.