Hardship: Act Now, Not Tomorrow; People Are Suffering– Sen Orji Kalu Asks Tinubu To Reconsider Economic Policies

Senator Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia State and current senator representing Abia North, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

During a press briefing at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Kalu expressed concern over the rising struggles among citizens, largely due to recent economic reforms.

“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.

While he acknowledged the boldness of Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, Kalu stressed that the government must reconsider the move in light of its severe impact on the population.

“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 explained.

He praised Tinubu’s courage in pursuing economic reforms but urged the president to act quickly to alleviate the suffering.

“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,” Kalu said.

“He has to act today, not tomorrow, because the situation is dire. No president elected by the people would want his citizens to suffer,” the lawmaker added.

Kalu also suggested that the reintroduction of the fuel subsidy should be reconsidered. “I’m not in the economic team; I have not seen the president or anyone to ask, but this is what 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.”

In a lighter moment, Kalu dismissed rumors of his death, clarifying that his absence was due to academic pursuits. “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,” he shared. “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.”