A routine 2026 budget defense meeting hosted by the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence took a dramatic turn on Tuesday, 17th as Senator Orji Uzor Kalu launched a blistering attack on his former colleagues in the executive branch, stating that they “lie bluntly” while disrupting legislative work with chronic unpunctuality.
However, amid the anger, Senator Kalu reserved special praise for the security community.
”I want to sincerely use this opportunity to thank the security community, especially the National Security Adviser, Director of SSS, and Chief of Defense Staff,” Kalu stated at the outset of his remarks.
The former Governor of Abia State used the contrast between the security chiefs and cabinet ministers to highlight what he described as a “disappointing” double standard. He noted that despite the high demands on their time, security officials are the only ones who treat parliamentary invitations with respect.
”When we invite our colleagues who left this chamber to be Ministers, it takes them two hours to get here,” Kalu fumed. “Only the security community adheres to time here. The other of our colleagues don’t.”
Kalu expressed visible disappointment at the excuses often given by ministers for their tardiness, specifically targeting the frequent invocation of presidential duties.
”They will come and tell you they’ve been called in the Villa. This nonsense should stop; it is absolutely rubbish,” he declared. “Everybody knows the way to the Villa. They should stop lying bluntly with the name of the president.”
Drawing a stark comparison, Kalu pointed out that while ministers often arrive hours late, the security chiefs set a standard of discipline. “All the time I am invited to any committee, the National Security Adviser, DG SSS, and the Chief of Defense Staff are there ten minutes ahead of me. I was here at 10:40 am and the DG SSS was here and all of them were here waiting for 11:00 am.”
Kalu emphasized that the delays are hampering critical legislative duties, particularly during the budget hearing period. “They are delaying our job. They should come and do their job for Christ’s sake,” he implored.
Reacting to Kalu’s outburst, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, thanked Kalu for raising the issue, underscoring the immense logistical pressure lawmakers face.
”A lot of our colleagues, some of us belong to up to ten committees,” Abdullahi explained. “These committees sometimes meet simultaneously. By the time it gets to the end of the day, some of us might have traveled up to 20 km going from one meeting room to another.”
He stressed that the sanctity of legislative time must be respected by all invited guests to ensure the Senate can function effectively.
“This Nonsense Should Stop”: Senator Kalu Blasts Tardy Ministers, Hails Security Chiefs for Discipline at Budget Hearing
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