Orji Kalu accuses Nigerian politicians of using Boko Haram to frustrate Tinubu

Former Governor of Abia State and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has alleged that some members of Nigeria’s political elite are behind the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency, claiming they are using terrorism as a weapon to undermine President Bola Tinubu.

Kalu made the explosive claim during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Monday evening.

“The political class is behind Boko Haram,” Kalu said. “They are using terrorism as a tool to fight Tinubu — just like they did with past administrations.”

Pressed to clarify who he meant by “political class,” the senator pointed fingers at politicians, top civil servants, and influential business figures, accusing them of fuelling the insurgency not for money, but for raw political power.

“Some of them aren’t even after money anymore. What they want is control — political dominance. This insecurity is politically induced,” Kalu asserted.

He claimed that these individuals are orchestrating chaos in order to destabilise the country and pave the way for their return to power.

“They want to tear down the system just to grab control, and that’s not how power should be acquired,” he said.

Kalu’s comments come in the wake of a fresh Boko Haram attack in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, where nine persons were reportedly killed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the insurgents.

The lawmaker’s claims add to growing national concern over the intersection of insecurity and politics, amid persistent attacks by terror groups and armed bandits across northern Nigeria.

Also weighing in recently on the threat of insurgency, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, warned that “Nigerians are now living with Boko Haram and bandits” — a chilling remark made during the 60th birthday colloquium of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.