Jane Salihu
Former Abia State governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is manipulating Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure a second term in office.
Kalu made the remarks on Monday while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly lobby in Abuja during activities marking his 66th birthday.
The senator rejected claims by opposition figures, including members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), that the ruling party was influencing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weaken rival parties.
According to him, the electoral body remains an independent institution and deserves respect from political actors.
“The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. INEC is an independent body and we have a lot of respect for the Chairman of INEC. He is an erudite Professor of Law. So, let us stop this frivolity,” he said.
Kalu added that allegations suggesting that the ruling party is undermining democratic processes only serve to damage Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
The former Senate Chief Whip also denied suggestions that the APC is coercing governors or other politicians to defect to the ruling party, maintaining that political realignments are voluntary.
He insisted that President Tinubu has never pressured anyone to join the party.
“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,” he stated.
On the political permutations ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly speculations that the Senate Presidency might be zoned to the South East, Kalu said he was not aware of any such arrangement.
He noted that zoning decisions are solely the prerogative of the party’s leadership and maintained 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 it, but I’m not going out of my way to look for anything,” he said.
Responding to concerns by some members of the 1999 class of governors who have alleged marginalisation under the current administration, Kalu downplayed the claims, saying President Tinubu maintains cordial relationships with his contemporaries.
He cited recent engagements between the president and former governors as evidence that the administration remains inclusive.
On the issue of regional development, Kalu dismissed claims that the South East has been sidelined in successive administrations, noting that both former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu have made contributions to the development of the region.
“Every president has something to add. Buhari contributed his quota and Tinubu is contributing his quota. We are getting what we are supposed to get, maybe even more today,” he said.
Speaking on the economy, the senator acknowledged that while the government’s reform policies were beginning to show results at the macroeconomic level, ordinary Nigerians were still grappling with the impact of insecurity and economic sabotage.
“The upper end of the reform is working and investors are coming in. But the lower end has problems because of insecurity and sabotage. Reforms take time; they don’t happen in one day,” he explained.
Kalu, however, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, describing the opposition as weak and lacking credible alternatives.
“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 declared.
He urged political actors across party lines to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and presenting workable policy alternatives rather than engaging in what he described as unproductive criticism.
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