2027: Opposition too weak to stop Tinubu, says Orji Kalu

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is undermining the opposition, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has neither coerced politicians to defect nor interfered with the independence of the electoral umpire.

Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly lobby in Abuja to mark his birthday, Kalu described allegations by opposition parties as “frivolous,” urging political actors to respect democratic institutions.

“The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC,” Kalu said, defending the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission. “INEC is an independent body and we have a lot of respect for the chairman. He is an erudite Professor of Law… So, let us stop this frivolity. People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously.”

He added that the ruling party has not pressured anyone to join its fold.

“President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party. I am a witness… If a governor decides to join APC, that is his business. We welcome him. Nobody is forcing anybody; it is a negotiation,” he said.

Projecting ahead to the 2027 general elections, Kalu expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances, describing the opposition as disorganised and lacking viable alternatives.

“I don’t think any of them will defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election,” he declared. “The opposition is very weak… Let them present what they will do better than President Tinubu to Nigerian people. I have not seen it.”

On speculations that the Senate Presidency may be zoned to the South East in 2027, Kalu said no such decision has been taken, stressing that the matter rests solely with party leadership.

“I am not aware of that. This is an entire matter for the leadership of the party,” he said. “If anything is given to me, I will take. Not that I’m looking for anything.”

Kalu also dismissed concerns that the President is not carrying along members of the 1999 political class, noting that many of them maintain cordial relations with Tinubu.

“I don’t see anything wrong with 1999 governors. I think the President has a very good relationship with his classmates,” he said.

On regional development, the former governor rejected claims that the South East was sidelined under previous administrations, maintaining that both former President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu had made contributions.

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“Every President has something to add… We got what we were supposed to get from President Buhari, and maybe we are getting more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” he said.

Assessing the current administration’s economic reforms, Kalu acknowledged challenges at the grassroots but insisted that the broader framework is yielding results.

“The upper end of the reform is working… investors are pouring in. But the lower end has some problems because of insecurity and sabotage,” he said. “Reforms do not survive in one day. It takes time.”

He likened the APC’s growing strength to “a moving train,” citing increasing defections and grassroots support.

“Even in my village that were not APC before, everybody is joining APC… We are rocking like a hurricane,” Kalu said.

The senator, however, cautioned that sustaining the party’s dominance would depend on effective management of its large membership base and governance delivery.