Dare Babalola
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken issue with Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, over his recent comments praising President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing his position as detached from the realities currently faced by Nigerians.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, the NDC also rejected suggestions that opposition parties in the country have lost relevance or are politically weakened.
Kalu had recently expressed optimism that President Tinubu would remain politically dominant ahead of the 2027 general elections, even as discussions continue among opposition figures about possible coalition arrangements, with the African Democratic Congress reportedly emerging as a potential platform for alignment.
While acknowledging that economic reforms often require time to yield full results, the former Abia State governor had also noted that there were signs of improvement in macroeconomic indicators, particularly in terms of investor confidence.
“There is progress at the top level, with increased investor confidence, but challenges remain at the lower level. Economic reforms are gradual,” he said.
However, the NDC strongly disagreed with his assessment, insisting that it does not reflect the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians and the current state of the economy.
Abdulsalam, reacting on behalf of the party, criticised the senator’s comments and argued that opposition movements in the country remain active and increasingly organised.
He stated, “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 administration’s economic direction as misleading, arguing that it does not align with the daily struggles of citizens.
“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 challenges 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.”
The party maintained that contrary to such claims, opposition groups remain active and are working toward stronger political coordination ahead of future elections.
