Sen. Kalu Tasks Governors on Security

Orji Uzor Kalu

By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on governors across the country especially those in the North affected by kidnapping, banditry, and the killing of innocent Nigerians to take responsibility for securing their states and ending persistent insecurity.
Kalu said addressing insecurity should not be left solely to the President, noting that state governors also have a constitutional role to play in ensuring the safety of lives and property within their domains.
The former governor recalled that between 1999 and 2003, Nigeria faced a similar security challenge, but Abia State remained the safest in the country due to what he described as his administration’s effective governance and strategic approach to security.
Kalu made the remarks on Thursday in Ekoli Edda, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, while speaking with journalists during his annual New Year visit to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, whom he described as one of his political protégés.
He urged Nigerians to stop placing all the blame for insecurity on President Bola Tinubu, stressing that governors must deploy effective strategies to tackle security challenges in their respective states.
The senator singled out Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, as the only governor among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory who, according to him, has performed commendably in securing lives and property.
According to Kalu:“Abia was the most secure state in Nigeria when I was governor because I employed the right personnel to handle security.
“When I was governor, many states collapsed into insecurity, including Warri and Port Harcourt. Only Abia was safe.
“During my tenure, nobody was kidnapped in Aba, Umuahia, or their environs. No one was kidnapped in Abia State because I engaged security experts who were committed to protecting our people.
“But today, people say President Tinubu should do this and that to end insecurity—no. Governors should return to securing their states, just as it is happening in Ebonyi State under the Francis Nwifuru-led administration.
“If every governor secures his state, Nigeria will be safe,” he stated.
On the forthcoming elections, Kalu vowed to deliver Abia State to the ruling APC, despite his friendship with the incumbent governor, Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).
“Alex Otti is my friend. I don’t discuss politics with friends, but when the time comes, I will vote only for my party, the APC, and work for its victory in the next general election.
“Abia will be APC in 2027. I will work for President Tinubu, and he will win Abia. I will also work for any APC governorship candidate to win in Abia.
“Abia will be APC with me. I have brought my heart; I will lay it on the field and work tirelessly for the APC,”.

Earlier, Governor Otti—who has been ranked among the outstanding governors in terms of governance and infrastructure development in Abia State since 1999—had warned that anyone intending to undermine the mandate of Abians in the next election should first write his will.