Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu has reaffirmed his long-standing support for the creation of state police, describing it as essential to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Speaking with journalists on Friday at his country home Igbere, Kalu recalled that during his tenure as governor in 1999, he established the Bakassi security outfit, which he said operated in close collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies.
He disclosed that the National Assembly had already passed constitutional amendments to pave the way for state police.
“We have just passed the law to remove it from the Constitution as the Nigerian Police Force and replace it with the Federal Police Service and State Police Services,” Kalu said.
According to him, the next stage is for the executive and legislative arms of government to work on a new Police Act that will clearly define the powers, responsibilities and operational framework of state police.
Addressing concerns that governors could misuse state police against political opponents, Kalu assured Nigerians that adequate safeguards would be included in the legislation.
“We are going to make sure that we take care of all those clauses where anybody will abuse the state police. The bill will be for the benefit of Nigerians,” he said.
On political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Kalu dismissed suggestions of internal crisis within the ruling APC, insisting that the party remained united in Abia State.
He said the party’s primary objective was to secure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and return more APC lawmakers to the National Assembly.
Commenting on the withdrawal of a governorship aspirant, Kalu said the decision reflected the belief that Abia Central should produce the next governor after eight years of leadership from other senatorial zones.
“There is no problem in APC. We are together and working very well,” he stated.
Speaking on what motivates him politically, Kalu attributed it to honesty, openness and his willingness to engage with people across political divides.
“What keeps me going is my honesty to issues, my honesty to what we do and my good heart,” he said.
The former governor also defended the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu, arguing that while ordinary Nigerians were yet to fully experience the benefits, significant progress had been made in stabilising the country’s macroeconomic indicators.
According to him, the administration had achieved improvements in foreign exchange stability and fuel pricing, although the manufacturing sector was still facing challenges due to insecurity affecting agricultural production.
He maintained that insecurity had limited access to raw materials by manufacturers but expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s renewed security operations against bandits would improve the situation.
“The macro economy has done very well. What we are suffering today is the micro economy,” Kalu said.
Drawing comparisons with countries such as China and Singapore, he argued that economic reforms require time and consistency before producing visible results.
“No policy can stimulate immediately. It takes time for policies to come on stream and work,” he said.
Kalu further noted that foreign direct investments were gradually returning to Nigeria and expressed confidence that by the middle to the end of next year, the country’s economic reforms would begin to deliver more tangible benefits to citizens.
“We are on track, and that track will do us well,” he added.
