Kalu Reveals Arms Trading Past, Backs Tinubu's 2027 Re-election Bid

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has disclosed that he was involved in the international arms trade, selling heavy weapons to anyone who could afford them. He made this revelation during an appearance on Arise Television's PrimeTime, where he spoke on his business history and relationships with former South African leaders. Kalu confirmed that he traded in heavy weapons internationally but eventually abandoned the business following pressure from his parents.

Kalu denied that his arms business was restricted to any particular political organisation or liberation movement, explaining that he sold to buyers across different countries as long as they could afford the weapons. He declined to disclose where he sourced the weapons, describing the information as private business details. When asked whether he supplied arms to the African National Congress (ANC) during its struggle against apartheid in South Africa, Kalu said his business was not limited to the organisation.

The senator also denied selling weapons to individuals who intended to use them to kill others, maintaining that his primary interest was making money rather than determining what buyers did with the weapons. He dismissed concerns about the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, explaining that the weapons he traded in were not small arms but heavy weapons sold between countries. Kalu was also asked whether he sold weapons to Libya under its late leader, Muammar Gaddafi, responding that he sold to anyone with the financial capacity to purchase the weapons.

Beyond his former business activities, Kalu discussed his longstanding relationships with successive South African leaders, tracing the connections to his friendship with the country's former President, Nelson Mandela. According to him, Mandela introduced him to several South African presidents, including Thabo Mbeki and the incumbent President, Cyril Ramaphosa. Kalu recalled that Mandela once explained to him that Mbeki's father had made greater contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle than Ramaphosa's father.

On domestic politics, the senator expressed strong support for President Tinubu's re-election bid, predicting that the President would secure a landslide victory in 2027. Defending the administration's economic policies, Kalu argued that Nigeria's economy had stabilised at the macroeconomic level, although he acknowledged that the benefits of the reforms had yet to translate sufficiently into improved living conditions for households and businesses.

The former Senate Chief Whip maintained that the administration's immediate responsibility was to translate the macroeconomic improvements into tangible economic growth, increased manufacturing capacity, employment opportunities, and better living standards. He identified improved agricultural production, enhanced security, and access to raw materials for manufacturers as critical requirements for achieving that objective.

Kalu's prediction of a landslide victory for Tinubu was anchored on what he described as the APC's extensive political structure, grassroots support, and organisational strength across the country. He dismissed the opposition as politically disorganised, insisting that the President had no serious competition ahead of the 2027 election.

Key points

• Orji Uzor Kalu reveals his past involvement in international arms trading.
• Kalu predicts a landslide victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
• The senator defends the administration's economic policies, citing macroeconomic stabilisation.