Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that President Bola Tinubu remains the favourite to win the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the opposition is too divided to pose a serious threat despite prevailing economic hardship.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kalu defended the Tinubu administration’s performance, arguing that while Nigerians are still grappling with economic challenges, the government has made significant progress in stabilising the economy and tackling insecurity.
The former Abia State governor maintained that Tinubu had “no competition” ahead of the next general election, attributing his confidence to the achievements of the administration and the weakness of opposition parties.
“I told you here before that President Tinubu has no competition, and I am still repeating it, he has no competition,” Kalu said.
“You check what we did during the primaries, the membership strength of the party and the things Tinubu has done all over Nigeria. Although you will still say it is not enough, a lot of things have been done by this government.”
According to him, the administration had failed only in effectively communicating its achievements to Nigerians.
“It is just that we were very unlucky that we did not market what this government has done very well. President Tinubu himself was not interested in marketing what he has delivered. People simply took many of the achievements for granted.”
Kalu argued that Tinubu was also contending with political opponents determined to undermine his administration.
“Tinubu has a lot of arch-enemies, both within and outside government, who want to pull him down,” he said.
Despite acknowledging that the economy had yet to improve sufficiently for ordinary Nigerians, Kalu insisted the administration deserved another term to consolidate its reforms.
“The economy is doing well partially, but it has not gone down to the level we expected,” he said.
“When you have done well in many areas and there are some areas you have not done well, people should give you the opportunity to rewrite the examination. We are not saying everything is perfect.”
Assessing Tinubu’s performance after three years in office, the senator awarded the president a score of 65 per cent.
“On a scale of 100, President Tinubu has done 65 per cent well. It is only the microeconomy that is still struggling. You know I speak the truth,” Kalu said.
“That is a heavy pass. By September or October, it will be 70 per cent, which is an A.”
He attributed the slow recovery of the microeconomy largely to insecurity, especially banditry, which he said had prevented farmers from returning to their farms.
“We have stabilised the macroeconomy. The real cause of the failure to stabilise the microeconomy is banditry. President Tinubu has taken it upon himself to fight these bandits so that people can return to farming.”
Kalu urged Nigerians to acknowledge the successes being recorded by security agencies in combating criminal groups.
“Why don’t you give the government credit for rescuing those kidnapped in Kwara? The President, the National Security Adviser, the armed forces, the police and the DSS are working together to deal with these hoodlums.”
On public dissatisfaction expressed through protests, the senator said demonstrations were a legitimate part of democratic governance.
“Protest is part of democracy. I cannot deny people their right to protest. It is their entitlement. But are we doing well? The answer is yes. We have not yet reached where we are supposed to be.”
Responding to concerns that economic hardship could become the opposition’s strongest campaign issue in 2027, Kalu insisted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would convince Nigerians to renew its mandate.
“When you don’t do well in part of your examination, you are given an opportunity to rewrite it. That is what we are asking Nigerians to do.”
He also dismissed social media narratives suggesting widespread public rejection of the Tinubu administration.
“Half of the things they say on social media are lies. It is not about me; it is about our country. Many people are spreading falsehoods.”
Kalu argued that the opposition’s inability to unite would ultimately work in the APC’s favour.
“The opposition is very weak. If they were together, we would start having some sleepless nights. But now they are not together.”
Although he acknowledged that a united opposition could pose a greater challenge, he maintained that Tinubu would still prevail.
“If they were together, it would give us a little concern, but not too much. Right now, I am not having sleepless nights.”
Asked whether former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria Democratic Congress’ Peter Obi and other opposition figures posed any threat, Kalu replied that none of them individually could stop Tinubu’s re-election.
“All these people are not threats. If they had been together, there would be a problem.”
The senator expressed confidence that Tinubu would improve his electoral performance in the South-East in 2027.
“We are going to give a good account of ourselves in the South-East in a free and fair election,” he said.
He also predicted that President Tinubu would win Abia State despite Governor Alex Otti’s popularity.
“Tinubu will win in Abia,” Kalu said, while adding that he expected Otti to secure a second term as governor.
“Alex Otti will win the governorship election. He is my brother and my banker. Whatever I want to tell him, I tell him privately.”
On whether he would accept defeat if Tinubu lost the election, Kalu maintained that while he would congratulate the winner, he did not believe such a scenario would occur.
“If President Tinubu loses, I will congratulate whoever wins. But President Tinubu can never lose the election because he has done so well, and our party members across the country will campaign until we win.”
