In a startling revelation during a televised political debate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) accused Nigeria’s political elite of orchestrating a resurgence of Boko Haram activity as part of a calculated effort to destabilize the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. Kalu’s claims, made on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, suggest that recent violent outbreaks are not random but are instead politically motivated maneuvers aimed at undermining the government’s stability.

Kalu contended that the uptick in Boko Haram attacks is a deliberate strategy by a clandestine network of powerful politicians, affluent business magnates, and high-ranking civil servants. “The political class is behind Boko Haram. They are using terrorism as a tool to fight Tinubu, just like they did with past administrations,” the senator asserted, pointing to a broader scheme to weaken the presidency.

When pressed to clarify who constitutes this “political class,” Kalu alleged that a covert alliance of influential figures is exploiting insecurity to serve personal ambitions. “People in the political class are the ones fueling Boko Haram. This is a political war,” he explained. “Some of them aren’t after money—they’re after power. They want to tear down the system just to grab control, and that’s not how power should be acquired.”

Kalu further argued that the disturbing increase in insecurity is not merely a failure of the state but a calculated act by disgruntled insiders seeking to hijack Nigeria’s political landscape. “The insecurity in Nigeria is politically induced. These individuals—politicians, businessmen, civil servants—are not just seeking financial gain. They’re looking to hijack political power,” he said, urging Nigerians to prioritize unity and patriotism over selfish political interests.

“In considering ourselves friends and patriots, we should care about the ordinary Nigerian. We must work together to build a better country,” Kalu emphasized, calling for a collective effort to safeguard Nigeria’s future amid what he described as a political war disguised as insurgency.

His claims come amidst renewed Boko Haram violence in northeastern Nigeria, with recent attacks highlighting the persistent threat. Just a day prior, nine individuals were killed in Mairari Village, Guzamala Local Government Area, Borno State, when insurgents detonated improvised explosive devices. Borno State’s political and military leaders have condemned the attack as “inhumane,” with Governor Babagana Zulum calling for urgent security measures to reclaim territory held by terrorists.

Borno’s Speaker of the State Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, also condemned the attack, urging the military to intensify efforts to combat insurgency and restore peace in affected regions. As Nigeria grapples with these security challenges, Kalu’s allegations have ignited intense debate over the true motives behind the ongoing insurgency and the possibility of political interests playing a role in perpetuating violence.

The conversation surrounding the resurgence of Boko Haram and its roots continues to dominate national discourse, with many calling for decisive action and an honest examination of the forces at play behind Nigeria’s persistent security crises.