OKIJA/Nigeria: Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticised Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for alleging that politicians are behind the rising wave of banditry and violent crimes across the country.
In a statement released from Okija, Anambra State, and signed by Eze, he described Kalu’s claim as “uncomplimentary, degrading and shameful,” insisting that the allegation was irresponsible and lacked evidence.
“For a man of Orji Uzor Kalu’s calibre to make such a disgraceful and unsubstantiated statement shows a high level of sycophancy, eye service and betrayal,” Eze said. He questioned how anyone “not suffering from political hallucination” could conclude that opposition politicians were sponsoring bandits to destabilise President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Eze said Kalu should instead “be bold enough” to confront President Tinubu with the reality of what he called the administration’s “woeful and clueless” handling of national security.
“Tell Tinubu that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder and hopelessly bleeding under his nose,” he said.
He argued that what the President needs are honest voices and proactive solutions, not “lily-livered politicians who speak from both sides of their mouths just to curry favour.”
Eze was reacting to comments made by Kalu during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where the senator suggested that the pattern of recent attacks pointed to a political motive. He also took a swipe at Senator Adams Oshiomhole, whom he said shared similar views with Kalu.
According to Eze, the worsening insecurity in Nigeria is not driven by politics but by the government’s inability to protect its citizens. He said the blood of victims and the struggles of displaced Nigerians in IDP camps were what drew global attention to the country’s security breakdown—not alleged political plots.
He challenged Kalu and Oshiomhole to publish the names of the politicians they claim are sponsoring violence.
“If you know them, name them. If you cannot name them, then your allegation is sheer cowardice and suggests complicity,” he said.
Eze urged Nigerians to dismiss the senators’ comments, saying they distract from the government’s failure to address insecurity. He argued that the prayers of Nigerians and the plight of victims—not political sabotage—prompted international concerns about security in the country.
He further accused President Tinubu of focusing on political consolidation instead of governance, alleging that efforts were underway to tilt the country toward a one-party system ahead of the 2027 elections.
“God has heard the cries of Nigerians,” Eze said, insisting that Tinubu is headed for a single term due to what he described as maladministration.
He urged citizens to unite and “ease off this evil administration,” criticising Oshiomhole and Kalu for acting as “media chiefs” for a President he claimed lacks the capacity to lead Nigeria at this critical time.
