By Joy Odor, Abuja
Nigeria’s former Governor of Abia State and the Senate Chief Whip of the Nigeria National Assembly (NASS) , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has backed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that Washington’s intelligence and diplomatic support are quietly strengthening the country’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday morning at the NASS, Sen Kalu, a known pro-America politician described Trump’s comments as “harsh but true,” arguing that the United States remains a strategic partner in Nigeria’s fight against jihadist groups that have destabilized parts of the North for over a decade.
“What Donald Trump said is not a lie. Nigerians both Christians and Muslims are being killed. These jihadists just want to destroy the country,” Kalu said.
“Before any American president speaks, their intelligence community must have confirmed what’s going on. That’s why you’ve seen the Nigerian Air Force step up precision bombing of terrorist hideouts in recent days.”
The Abia North Senator disclosed that he had personally engaged two former U.S. President, one Republican and one Democrat and about 60 members of Congress, seeking deeper military and diplomatic cooperation.
“They’ve all agreed to help us. America is the leader of the free world; when they speak, we listen,” he said. “But we are also working diplomatically to put our house in order. Terrorism will be defeated.”
The Senate Chief Whip acknowledged that global instability worsened after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein, which he said triggered an arms flow that continues to fuel African conflicts.
“Let’s be honest when Gaddafi and Saddam were killed, borders collapsed and weapons flooded the region. We’re still paying the price,” he noted.
On the domestic front, Sen Kalu dismissed speculations of renewed tension in the Senate or moved to remove Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saying lawmakers are united behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery agenda.
“The Senate is focused on making laws to help the President rescue the economy. There were attempts to cause division, but we didn’t allow it. We’re one big family,” he said.
Responding to questions about defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Senate Chief Whip said no one was being coerced to switch parties, but hinted that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, would eventually join the APC.
“Soludo is a progressive like Tinubu, like me, like other progressive governors. He’ll come he has no alternative,” he said with a smile.
He also made clear where his loyalty lies in Abia politics: “If my brother runs under APC, I’ll support him. If he’s at another party, I’ll fight him politically — it’s simple.”
In Nigeria’s political future, Kalu expressed confidence that President Tinubu faced no credible opposition heading into 2027.
“There’s no contest against Tinubu. Our party is on the ground, our people are with us, and we’ll keep working to help Nigerians,” he said.
Turning to the economy, Senate Chief Whip offered a businessman’s perspective on Nigeria’s recovery trajectory, commending policy direction but acknowledging that everyday Nigerians still feel the pinch.
“The macro-economy is improving investors are coming in but the micro-economy is not doing well yet. People are still struggling to feed,” he said. “When people can move freely, go back to farms, and trade safely, the economy will truly bounce back.”
He credited Tinubu’s team and the security chiefs for “working to secure the nation so that growth can reach the grassroots.
“President Tinubu is putting his life on the line to rebuild the economy. We in the Senate are fully behind him,” Kalu declared.
Kalu’s defence of Trump’s statement underscores the delicate yet deepening security cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
His remarks reflect a pragmatic view that the U.S. remains both a critic and a crucial partner in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign.
Yet, as he pivots from geopolitics to grassroots economics, Kalu’s confidence in Tinubu’s political dominance suggests a governing class betting that diplomacy abroad and stability at home will anchor Nigeria’s slow but steady recovery.
