The senator representing the Abia North senatorial district, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

He said the economic reforms of Mr Tinubu’s government have placed the Nigerian economy on a strong footing, urging Nigerians to back the administration. However, he strongly opposed calls to return the petroleum subsidy.

The former Abia governor, who made the remarks on Wednesday in Maryland, United States, also canvassed support for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the next governor, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Kenneth Udeh, on Thursday.

Mr Kalu was hosted by a cross-section of Nigerians in the diaspora and fielded questions on the state of the Nigerian economy and the Tinubu administration’s reforms.

Mr Kalu said Nigerians need to understand that fundamental economic reforms could not deliver their full benefits overnight.

He lauded Mr Tinubu for making difficult decisions to stabilise the country’s economy, drawing comparisons with reforms undertaken in countries such as Singapore.

“So, what President Tinubu is doing, I understand very well. Most people don’t understand. Most Nigerians don’t understand,” Mr Kalu said.

He said the administration’s immediate objective was to stabilise the polity and create a more conducive environment for economic activities.

However, Mr Kalu acknowledged that while progress had been made at the macroeconomic level, Nigerians are still experiencing difficulties at the microeconomic level, particularly because of insecurity.

“But the macro area has done well, but micro has not done very well because of insecurity. People can’t go to farm; people can’t go to work in some local government areas in Northern Nigeria, and in some of the South-East there are pockets of insecurity as well as other parts of Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on calls to return the subsidy, the two-time senator said bringing back the subsidy would not be best for Nigerians.

Mr Kalu strongly opposed calls by some political leaders to restore the petroleum subsidy, arguing that the policy has historically created opportunities for corruption and financial abuse. He said his position was informed not only by his political experience but also by his exposure to the petroleum business.

He, however, called on the government to explore other measures to cushion economic hardship rather than return to fuel subsidy.

“I believe that bringing back subsidy is not the best for Nigerians. It’s not an option to the economic development of Nigeria. The government can do other things,” he said.

Mr Kalu alleged that the former subsidy regime was riddled with fraudulent beneficiaries, claiming that many of the companies involved were not genuine. He further linked the removal of subsidy to a reduction in what he described as conspicuous spending among beneficiaries of the former arrangement.

The Abia North senator lauded Mr Tinubu for taking what he described as a difficult but necessary decision. While defending the administration’s reforms, Mr Kalu said Mr Tinubu still had significant work to do, particularly in restoring security and creating more conditions necessary for economic growth.

(NAN)