Former Abia State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has advised Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to maintain a strong working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regardless of their political party differences, in order to attract more federal development projects to the state.
Kalu gave the advice 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.
While emphasizing that he was not suggesting that the governor abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, Kalu stressed the importance of “political economics” — a strategy that involves aligning with the federal government’s economic agenda for the benefit of one’s state.
> “I’m not asking you to join the APC, but be on good terms with the President,” Kalu said. “Do PDP as a party, but do economic development as a Zamfara man, so Zamfara can develop.”
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🤝 ‘Heal Political Differences for the Sake of Development’ – Kalu
Reflecting on his own political journey, Kalu narrated how he maintained a cordial relationship with President Tinubu during their respective tenures as governors, despite belonging to different parties — he in the PDP and Tinubu in the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
> “The president is not only my brother; he is my friend,” Kalu said. “People thought we met when we were governors, but no — my children used to live in his house in Marina. Mrs. Tinubu helped raise them when they schooled in Lagos.”
He continued, “Whatever my political differences with the President were, we’ve healed it up, and we are one. I want you to do the same. Heal your political differences with the President.”
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💰 ‘Federal Money Is for the People — Not Politics’
Kalu emphasized that politics should not be allowed to hinder economic development. He encouraged Governor Lawal to engage in economic diplomacy rather than partisan conflict.
> “If you play politics, you leave the federal money behind. If you play political economics, you get the federal money and develop Zamfara State.”
He added, “This place needs the attention of the Federal Government. I’m not saying join their party, but be on good terms. Work together for the sake of the people.”
Kalu also called for unity between the current governor and former Zamfara Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, stressing that both leaders need to collaborate for the betterment of the state.
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⚠️ Defections Raise Concerns of One-Party State
Kalu’s comments come amid recent high-profile defections from the PDP to the APC, including Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State. With these moves, the APC now controls 23 out of 36 states, sparking concerns and criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups about a perceived push toward a one-party state.
However, President Tinubu, during his Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2025, dismissed such claims, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to democratic plurality and freedom of political association.
