BY ANTHONIA EMMANUEL
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and current representative of Abia North in the National Assembly, has alleged that the resurgence of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria is being fuelled by certain political elites determined to destabilise President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Kalu made the statement during an appearance on *Politics Today*, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television, on Monday. He argued that terrorism in Nigeria is not just a security challenge but a calculated political strategy by powerful individuals vying for influence and control.
“The political elite are the ones behind Boko Haram. They are using terror as a tool to fight President Tinubu, just like it was used against previous governments,” Kalu claimed.
When asked to expound on his assertion, the senator pointed to a mix of politicians, influential businessmen, and high-ranking civil servants as the driving forces behind the unrest.
“This is not just about money, it’s about power,” he stated. “Some people want to bring down the government so they can seize control. That’s not how leadership should be gained.”
He further described Nigeria’s current wave of insecurity as a man-made crisis orchestrated by those dissatisfied with the current political setup. According to him, the growing violence is no coincidence but part of a larger, hidden agenda.
“The killings and chaos are part of a political battle. These people are not just after economic gain, they want to use violence to grab political power,” Kalu added.
Calling for unity and national consciousness, the senator urged Nigerians to prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens over personal ambitions and power struggles.
“If we truly love this country, we should be working together to make it better. Politics shouldn’t come at the cost of innocent lives,” he stressed.
Kalu’s remarks followed a deadly attack in Borno State’s Guzamala Local Government Area, where nine civilians were killed in an explosion linked to Boko Haram terrorists. The bomb, reportedly an improvised explosive device (IED), detonated at a village bus stop in Mairari, injuring several others.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, condemned the attack, labelling it “cruel and inhumane,” and urged the military to reclaim parts of the state still under terrorist control.
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, also expressed concern over the return of frequent terrorist attacks, noting the urgent need for reinforced security efforts in the region.
As tensions rise, Kalu’s explosive claims have sparked renewed debate about the intersection of politics and security in Nigeria, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in the fight against terrorism.
