Former Abia State Governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has confirmed that there were indeed attempts by some lawmakers to unseat Senate President Godswill Akpabio, but said the move failed after senior members intervened to protect unity in the upper legislative chamber.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, Kalu described the Senate as “one big family,” stressing that internal disagreements would not be allowed to disrupt its leadership or legislative work.
“Though there were attempts, we didn’t allow that to happen. That’s why I always say we are one big family and it is not going to happen,” he said.
The former governor emphasized that the Senate’s main focus remains on supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration to tackle the nation’s economic challenges and improve citizens’ welfare.
“Whatever the problem is, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic difficulties our people are facing.
We are more interested in the people. The legislation we are making is pro-people, and we are focused on ensuring Nigerians can eat three times a day,” Kalu said.
Kalu also spoke about ongoing political realignments in the South-East, hinting that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, might soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Responding to a question about Soludo’s political future, he said: “I think after all the court cases, he is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, as well as the governors of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and other APC governors.
So, Soludo is a progressive. I don’t see anything wrong with him joining us. In fact, it is confirmed that he will join the APC. He has no other alternative than to come and join us.”
Kalu’s remarks come about a year after similar rumours of a plot to impeach Akpabio were dispelled. In October 2024, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio following media reports that northern senators were allegedly mobilising to remove him.
At the time, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), a senior member of the Northern Senators’ Forum, dismissed the claims, saying there was no plan to undermine the unity of the Senate.
“I can assure you that there is no attempt by any caucus among northern senators to bring discord or challenge the Senate’s unity,” Abdullahi stated, warning that those promoting such rumours were “undermining the progress of our democracy.”
Similarly, in March 2025, during the controversy surrounding a sexual harassment allegation raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate once again unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio’s leadership.
That motion was moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Lere Oyewumi.
Kalu’s latest comments appear aimed at reinforcing the message of unity within the Senate and projecting stability in the upper chamber as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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