Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will be re-elected 2027.
Kalu expressed the optimism while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly on Tuesday in an activity marking his 66th birthday anniversary.
The Senator describing the opposition as weak and lacking viable alternatives.
He argued that the All Progressives Congress, APC’s growing membership base and nationwide acceptance position it strongly ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“I don’t think anybody will defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election. APC is like a moving train.
“Even in places that were not APC before, people are joining. We are rocking like a hurricane,” he said.
The lawmaker also rejected insinuations that the ruling party is coercing politicians, particularly governors, to defect into its fold.
He said that party membership remains a matter of personal choice and negotiation, noting that President Bola Tinubu has never pressured anyone to join the APC.
“President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party. If a governor decides to join APC, that is his business.
“When you come, we negotiate; if it is good, you stay; if not, you go your way. Nobody is forcing anybody,” he said.
On permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly speculations that the Senate Presidency may be zoned to the South-East, Kalu said he was unaware of any such arrangement.
He described zoning decisions as the exclusive prerogative of party leadership, emphasising that he is not lobbying for any position.
“I’m not aware of that. It is for the leadership of the party to decide. If anything is given to me, I will take, but I’m not going out of my way to look for anything,” he said.
Addressing concerns raised by some members of the 1999 set of governors about alleged marginalisation by the current administration, Kalu downplayed the question, asserting that President Tinubu maintains cordial relations with his contemporaries.
He cited recent interactions between the President and several former governors as evidence of ongoing engagement.
On governance and zonal development, the former Senate Chief Whip cautioned against narratives suggesting that the South-East geo-political zone has been sidelined by successive administrations.
He noted that both the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu have contributed meaningfully to national development, including the South-East.
“Every President has something to add. Buhari had contributed his quota, Tinubu is contributing his quota. We are getting what we are supposed to get… maybe even more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” Kalu said.
On the economy, Kalu offered an assessment of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda, stating that while macroeconomic indicators show progress, challenges persist at the grassroots level due to insecurity and sabotage.
“The upper end of the reform is working… investors are coming in. But the lower end has problems because of insecurity and sabotage and reforms take time; they don’t happen in one day,” Kalu said.
He noted that countries like Singapore, Indonesia and China did not achieve success overnight.
“Nigeria is on a gradual path of recovery. These reforms will eventually impact ordinary citizens,” he said.
He dismissed allegations that the ruling is working to undermine opposition parties through the electoral system.
He also asserted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains an autonomous institution deserving respect.
The former governor of Abia described claims by opposition elements, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that INEC is not playing by the rules as “frivolous” and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic image.
According to him, the APC has no control over INEC, stressing that the electoral umpire, under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan is operating independently.
Kalu said:
“The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. The commission is an independent body, and we have a lot of respect for its chairman.
“He is an erudite Professor of Law… So, let all these frivolities stop. We should take the electoral process and democracy seriously instead of de-marketing the country,” he said.
(NAN)
