Orji Uzor Kalu, a senior All Progressives Congress (APC) member and Abia North Senator, has issued a strong political advisory to Dauda Lawal, the Governor of Zamfara State, urging him to reconcile his political differences with President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the state does not miss out on vital federal development funds.
Speaking on Monday during the commissioning of the newly constructed Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the renovated Zamfara College of Arts and Science in Gusau, the state capital, Kalu emphasized the importance of political diplomacy in securing federal resources for developmental projects. He warned that ignoring this strategy could hinder the state’s progress.
“I am not suggesting that you abandon your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and join the APC. What I am saying is that maintaining a cordial relationship with the President, who is an APC leader, is vital for the benefit of Zamfara,” Kalu remarked.
Drawing from his own experience, Kalu recalled his tenure as governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007 when he was a member of the PDP but maintained a positive relationship with Tinubu, then a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The senator made it clear that political affiliation should not prevent governors from fostering constructive alliances that can attract federal support.
“President Tinubu is not just a political ally; he is a friend. Even when our parties differed, our relationship remained strong. I want you to heal any political rift with him for the betterment of Zamfara,” Kalu advised Governor Lawal.
Kalu emphasized the importance of what he described as “political economics,” urging the Governor to engage with the federal government in a way that would benefit the state’s development. “If you play politics without economic diplomacy, Zamfara will lose out on federal funds. But if you play political economics, you will secure the resources needed for progress.”
The senator also urged the governor to collaborate with former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, emphasizing that unity between political figures in the state is crucial to securing attention from the federal government.
Kalu’s comments come at a time when political dynamics in Nigeria are shifting, especially with the recent defection of Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta from the PDP to the APC, leaving the ruling party with 23 governors out of 36. Critics have raised concerns that these defections could pave the way for a one-party dominance in Nigerian politics. However, President Tinubu has publicly rejected such claims, asserting that his administration does not seek to create a one-party state.
As political tensions continue to rise, Kalu’s appeal to Governor Lawal underscores the intricate balance of political maneuvering and development strategies in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
