Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has sounded an alarm over the deepening economic hardship in Nigeria, calling on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly in alleviating the burden on Nigerians.
Speaking during a press briefing at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Kalu expressed grave concerns about the impact of recent economic reforms on everyday Nigerians. While he acknowledged the removal of the fuel subsidy as a bold and unprecedented move by President Tinubu, he urged the president to quickly reassess its effects and prioritize relief measures.
“The hardship is real; people are suffering. We manage about 10,000 workers in our group, and ensuring they are paid in this difficult time is a challenge,” Kalu revealed, shedding light on how the economic situation is affecting businesses and families.
He further explained that the cost of maintaining a private jet had become unsustainable, with expenses reaching between $10,000 and $20,000 per flight. To navigate this, Kalu instructed senior executives in his company to switch to commercial flights as a cost-saving measure, so the company could focus on restructuring and supporting its workers across Nigeria and West Africa.
“Everyone must be able to eat in this time of hardship,” he stressed.
Kalu praised Tinubu for his courage in taking on reforms that no other president in the past 60 years had dared, but he underscored the urgency for immediate interventions.
“No president elected by the people would want his citizens to suffer,” he said emphatically, calling on Tinubu to reconsider key decisions, including the possibility of reintroducing the fuel subsidy, to mitigate the suffering.
“The president needs to sit with his economic team and reevaluate this. We cannot wait; action must be taken today, not tomorrow, because the situation is dire,” Kalu urged.
In response to recent rumors of his demise, Kalu dispelled the claims, explaining that his absence from the Senate was for academic purposes.
“I didn’t die; I took time off for a course on democracy and the economy at a university. There was nothing wrong with me, and I give thanks to God,” he added.
Kalu’s call for immediate action comes amid growing public outcry over the rising cost of living and the challenges many Nigerians face in the wake of Tinubu’s economic policies.
As pressure mounts, the question remains whether the president will heed this urgent plea.