NDC knocks Orji Kalu over praise for Tinubu’s reforms

The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Thursday criticised the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, over his recent remarks commending the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, describing them as misleading and disconnected from the realities facing Nigerians.

The NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, where the party also pushed back against claims that opposition parties in the country had become irrelevant.

Kalu had, in recent comments, expressed confidence that Tinubu would remain unbeatable in the 2027 general election, even as opposition figures explore coalition talks, with the African Democratic Congress emerging as a possible platform for key political actors.

On the economy, the former Abia governor acknowledged improvements at the macro level but noted that challenges persist at the grassroots, stressing that reforms take time to produce results.

“There is progress at the top level, with increased investor confidence, but challenges remain at the lower level. Economic reforms are gradual,” he said.

But reacting, the NDC dismissed his position and issued a strongly worded rebuttal.

Abdulsalam insisted that opposition forces were gaining momentum despite claims to the contrary.

He said, “We condemn the Senator representing Abia North over his convoluted comments regarding the state of the nation as well as the political realities of the opposition parties in Nigeria.

“We also wish to confirm to Nigerians that the momentum of the political bulwark being formed by the opposition in the country will eventually defeat the ruling behemoth that seeks to kill democracy through state capture, weaponising of poverty, and stifling of the opposition.”

The party further described Kalu’s endorsement of the President’s policies as out of touch with prevailing conditions.

“The NDC therefore describes the praises and pass marks heaped on President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies by the Abia-born politician as unreflective of the truth staring Nigerians in the face.

“Our party wishes to advise the Senator, who is a known personal friend of Mr President, to learn to speak truth to power for the sake of posterity and the daunting challanges being faced by Nigerians due to insecurity and failed economic and fiscal policies.

“As a party that means well for our dear nation, the NDC takes exception to the convoluted, contrived and spurious press statements credited to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in which he apparently goofed by declaring the opposition parties in Nigeria as dead and buried.”