Former Abia Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to swiftly address the economic hardship affecting Nigerians.
Kalu made the call on Tuesday during a press briefing at the National Assembly, stressing the urgency of the situation.
The former Abia State governor expressed concern over the increasing suffering among Nigerians, attributing the hardship to recent economic reforms.
While acknowledging the removal of the fuel subsidy as a bold move by Tinubu, Kalu emphasised the need for the president to reconsider the decision in light of its impact on the populace.
“The hardship is real; people are suffering. We manage about 10,000 workers in our group, and ensuring they are paid in this difficult time is a challenge,” Kalu said.
He explained further, “If I fly anywhere, maintaining and fuelling a private plane costs between $10,000 and $20,000. I had to tell senior members of my company to fly commercially so we could save money to restructure and support our workers across Nigeria and West Africa. Everyone must be able to eat in this time of hardship.”
Kalu commended Tinubu’s courage in implementing economic reforms but called for quicker relief measures.
He said, “No president in the last 60 years has dared to do what President Tinubu is doing to reform the economy. But we need to bring succour to Nigerians immediately.
“He has to act today, not tomorrow, because the situation is dire. No president elected by the people would want his citizens to suffer,” he remarked.
Kalu also suggested that the return of the fuel subsidy could be reconsidered.
He said, “I’m not in the economic team; I have not seen the president or anyone to ask, but this is what (the return of the subsidy) the president has to sit with his economic team to discuss. The decisions he has taken are what no president in the 60 years of the republic has been able to take.”
Kalu also debunked rumours of his death, clarifying that he had taken time off for academic purposes.
“There was nothing wrong with me. I took permission from the Senate President about seven days before the Senate went on recess. I enrolled in a course on democracy and the economy at a university, which I paid for myself.
“I didn’t die; I didn’t go for a medical check-up. But if people say I’ve died, we give thanks to God,” he added.
