Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), has called on him to immediately sack underperforming Ministers and Security Chiefs, warning that continued sentimental leadership could deepen Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Okay.ng reports that Kalu made this assertion during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, where he emphasized the urgency of a cabinet reshuffle to reflect competence over loyalty.
“Both security chiefs and Ministers, some of them should go. President Tinubu must be courageous enough to sack some of these Ministers,” the former Abia State Governor said.
Kalu revealed that he had already spoken privately with the President regarding some appointees who he believes have failed in their responsibilities. While he declined to mention names publicly, he stressed the importance of performance-based public service, stating: “If he will take my advice, some of these security chiefs should go. There must be no sentiment when it comes to redeeming Nigeria.”
He attributed the country’s growing insecurity—especially in farming regions—to political sabotage, claiming that some elites are deliberately destabilizing the country in a bid to seize power.
“The insecurity in Nigeria is politically induced by politicians and businessmen. Some of them are not even looking for money, they just want to grab power,” he alleged.
Turning to the economy, Kalu condemned the rampant use of U.S. dollars in real estate and daily transactions, calling it a sign of weak currency regulation and a threat to Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.
“The use of dollar bills on the street should stop. Landlords and estate agents using dollars as exchange should not happen in Nigeria. If we want to survive, we must take control of our currency,” he said, urging the government to emulate countries like India, South Africa, and the UK, where such practices are tightly controlled.
Despite acknowledging that Nigerians are still facing hardship, Kalu maintained that Tinubu’s economic reforms are structurally sound, citing improving macroeconomic indicators like exchange rate stability and increased industrial output.
“The macro side is coming up, but Nigerians in the lower area are still suffering. These changes are still trickling down; it’s going to take another one to two years,” he said.
Drawing parallels to Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew, Kalu appealed for unity and patience, noting that real progress takes time. He also urged politicians to depoliticize national development and collaborate for the greater good.
“We are all friends—Tinubu, Atiku, Amaechi—we were all Governors together. Let’s come together and think about the man on the street,” he concluded.
