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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

NDC knocks Orji Kalu over praise for Tinubu’s reforms

From The Punch · (10h ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) criticized Senator Orji Kalu for praising President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, calling his remarks misleading.
  • The NDC stated that opposition parties are gaining momentum and will eventually defeat the ruling party, countering Kalu's claims of their irrelevance.
  • The party urged Kalu, a friend of the President, to speak truth to power regarding the challenges faced by Nigerians due to insecurity and failed economic policies.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has sharply rebuked Senator Orji Kalu, a prominent figure and Senate Chief Whip, for his recent commendations of President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms. In a strongly worded statement, the NDC dismissed Kalu's assertions as disconnected from the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, particularly concerning the economy and the perceived irrelevance of opposition parties.

There is progress at the top level, with increased investor confidence, but challenges remain at the lower level. Economic reforms are gradual.

— Orji KaluSenator Orji Kalu's remarks on the state of the economy.

The NDC, through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, insisted that Kalu's praise for the President's policies was "unreflective of the truth staring Nigerians in the face." The party argued that despite claims to the contrary, the opposition is consolidating its forces and building a significant political momentum that will ultimately challenge the ruling party's grip on power. This internal political discourse highlights the deep divisions and differing perspectives on the nation's economic trajectory and the state of its political landscape.

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.

— Abdulmumin AbdulsalamThe NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary's rebuttal to Orji Kalu.

Furthermore, the NDC issued a direct appeal to Senator Kalu, advising him to "speak truth to power for the sake of posterity." The party emphasized the severe challenges Nigerians are grappling with, including widespread insecurity and the detrimental effects of failed economic and fiscal policies. This call underscores a desire within certain political factions for greater accountability and a more critical engagement with the government's performance, even from within the ruling party's ranks.

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.

— Abdulmumin AbdulsalamThe NDC's criticism of Kalu's endorsement of Tinubu's policies.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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