Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is coercing governors and other politicians to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated this on Tuesday while addressing newsmen as plenary resumed after the Easter break.
The lawmaker urged political actors to strengthen democratic institutions and offer credible policy alternatives rather than “unproductive criticism.”
He said, “President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party. If a governor decides to join the APC, that is his business.
“When you come, we negotiate; if it is good, you stay; if not, you go your way. Nobody is forcing anybody.”
He dismissed claims that Tinubu and the APC are influencing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Abia North senator described the opposition’s allegation, pushed mainly by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as frivolous and damaging to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. INEC is an independent body, and we have a lot of respect for the chairman of INEC. He is an erudite Professor of Law.
“So, let us stop this frivolity. People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously instead of de-marketing the country,” he said.
Kalu further dismissed claims that the South East is marginalised under the APC government, arguing that both the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu have contributed to national development, including in the South East.
“Every President has something to add. Buhari has contributed his quota; Tinubu is contributing his. We are getting what we are supposed to get… maybe even more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” he said.