Surge in terrorist attacks politically motivated, says Orji Kalu

Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north, says the surge in insecurity across the country is the handiwork of politicians. 

Kalu, who spoke on ‘Sunday Politics’, a Channels Television programme, said the recent abductions, school closures and violent incidents follow a pattern that typically emerges ahead of elections.

He recalled similar tensions during former president Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, suggesting that the current situation is connected to manoeuvres for 2027, while claiming that some political actors are recruiting mercenaries to incite unrest.

“What we are seeing is always routine, something that goes with election. And when you have election, people will try to pressurise government in power for all kinds of things to start happening,” he said.

“And you could remember when President Jonathan was here, similar thing happened. They put a lot of pressure on the president.

“The terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of the international community and local people who really want to destabilise government.

“This is politically motivated. You can see this is happening time without number for the past few months.

“We have been quiet until President Trump talks about people being killed in Nigeria. And you can see people talk about 2027 election, this and that.

“These people are actually mercenaries brought by politicians. These people are people bought by individuals.

“These people are people centred to destabilise a president that is ready to fight for our economy, that is ready to revamp the economy.”

The Abia senator, however, said that the president has shown that he is equal to the task.