Orji Uzor Kalu: The Fearless Truth-Teller Seeking Peace Amid the Echoes of Conflict

Chijioke Paul Okeifufe

Following the Federal High Court’s sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment in November 2025, reactions across the South-East have been mixed. While some leaders chose silence and others resorted to emotional responses, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu took a different path. He spoke plainly and honestly, even when the truth was uncomfortable.

The former Governor of Abia State has once again demonstrated why many regard him as a fearless Igbo leader. He chose facts over popularity and responsibility over political convenience, even when addressing an issue involving a man from his own region.

The Human and Economic Toll of Agitation

Rather than focusing solely on the legal aspects of the case, Senator Kalu drew attention to the deeper damage the crisis has inflicted on the South-East. He stated that over 30,000 Igbos have lost their lives during the years of agitation. These, he noted, were not just statistics but real people whose deaths have left lasting pain across families and communities.

He also highlighted the destruction of businesses and livelihoods resulting from violence and illegal sit-at-home orders. One striking example he cited was that of a close friend of his mother—a once-thriving rice trader whose shop was looted during the unrest. The losses forced her into bankruptcy, leaving her with a debt of about ₦4.2 million. For Kalu, this illustrated how sit-at-home actions became economic weapons against the very people they purported to protect.

Courage Over Political Ambition

What distinguishes Kalu’s position is his willingness to speak candidly despite the political risks involved. Nnamdi Kanu remains a deeply sensitive subject in the South-East, yet Kalu openly criticised what he described as unruly and unnecessarily aggressive conduct in court.

He contrasted this with his own experience during his corruption trial in 2019. Despite being sentenced to 12 years at the time, he said he maintained respect for the judiciary, stressing that disagreement should never translate into disrespect for the rule of law.

By taking this stance, Kalu risks public backlash, future political ambitions, and even business interests. Nevertheless, he has made it clear that he will not minimise the scale of destruction the crisis has brought upon Igboland.

A Long-Standing Push for a Political Solution

Beyond his public remarks, Senator Kalu revealed that he has been quietly working for years to secure a political resolution to the crisis. He spoke of holding private engagements with the federal government and consistently advocating a diplomatic and holistic approach, rather than relying solely on judicial processes.

This effort, he noted, did not begin recently. During a meeting at his Igbere home in 2019, he expressed the same commitment to dialogue, confirming that his pursuit of peace dates back to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kalu was also instrumental in persuading the Buhari administration to grant Nnamdi Kanu bail in 2017, reportedly making it a condition for his own entry into the APC. Today, he continues this quiet engagement, holding discussions with President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General in search of a political pathway to lasting peace.

A Call for Calm Reflection

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is urging an end to noise-making and emotionally driven reactions. His call for people to “go on their knees” is not an appeal for surrender, but a plea for wisdom, dialogue, and strategic negotiation in the long-term interest of the South-East.

At a time when many leaders say only what is popular, Kalu is saying what he believes is necessary. He continues to stand for the victims of the crisis, respect for the rule of law, and a peaceful resolution that has been years in the making.

Chijioke Paul Okeifufe
Member, Governing Council
Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State