Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North and former Governor of Abia State, has called on Nigerians to redirect their focus on insecurity from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to state governors.
Speaking during a New Year visit in Ekoli Edda, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Kalu emphasized that governors bear the primary responsibility for safeguarding lives and property within their jurisdictions.
Kalu, reflecting on his tenure as Abia Governor, highlighted his administration's success in maintaining security. "Abia was the most secured area when I was the governor of Abia State, it was the most secured state in Nigeria," he stated.
"And when I was governor, all the states collapsed including Warri, Port-Harcourt, they collapsed, only Aba was safe. Nobody was kidnapped in Aba, nobody kidnapped in Abia State because I was there and very committed to the security of our people."
Addressing widespread criticism of the federal government, Kalu urged citizens to cease blaming President Tinubu. "People are saying President Tinubu should do this and do that to end insecurity, no!" he declared. "When I was governor, I took charge of Abia. Nobody can move anywhere without securing the lives and property of our people."
The senator stressed the need for governors to emulate effective security measures. "So, the governors should come back and secure their states the way it is happening in Ebonyi State," Kalu said. He specifically praised Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru for his efforts, noting, "The Ebonyi State governor is securing his state. Every governor should secure his state and Nigeria will be safe."
Kalu's remarks come amid ongoing national discussions on rising insecurity, including kidnappings and communal clashes. He argued that decentralized security efforts at the state level would yield better results than solely relying on federal intervention.
As a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kalu reiterated his support for President Tinubu's administration while advocating for stronger state-level accountability.