Kalu predicts Tinubu landslide victory in 2027, dismisses opposition

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has predicted a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress has no serious electoral challenger.

Kalu said the APC's nationwide political structure and grassroots support would guarantee Tinubu's re-election, dismissing the influence of opposition activities on social media.

The former Senate Chief Whip stated this on Monday during an appearance on Arise PrimeTime, a current affairs programme on Arise News Television, where he also defended the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.

“President Tinubu will win. President Tinubu has no competition,” Kalu declared.

He argued that the APC's electoral strength went beyond Tinubu's personal popularity, saying the party had a broad political structure and substantial support across the country.

“The APC’s electoral strength goes beyond the personality of the President. The ruling party enjoys a broad political structure and substantial grassroots support across the country,” he said.

Kalu added, “What we are seeing on social media is not what is on the ground. Our party is very huge, and the supporters of that party are large.”

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, also defended the President's economic policies, arguing that the administration had achieved macroeconomic stability despite the hardship experienced by households and businesses.

According to him, the major challenge now is translating the gains of economic reforms into improved living conditions, increased manufacturing output and employment opportunities.

“President Tinubu has been able to stabilise this economy on the macro level. What we are battling now, having stabilised the economy on the macro level, is the micro level,” he said.

He identified increased agricultural production, improved security and access to raw materials for manufacturers as priorities needed to strengthen the economy.

Acknowledging the difficulties Nigerians were facing, Kalu maintained that reforms were necessary for long-term economic recovery.

“You can’t do reform without people suffering. You cannot; it’s not possible,” he said.

He also credited Tinubu with improving Nigeria's international economic relationships, arguing that the country was attracting increased attention from foreign investors.

On the political front, Kalu said APC legislators and other stakeholders were already working to consolidate the party's support in their constituencies ahead of the election.

He further urged Nigerians to prioritise national unity, arguing that political stability was necessary for the country.

“The unity of this country is very important. Let’s not question the unity. We allowed President Buhari to do his eight years and go, and we must allow Tinubu to do his eight years and go,” he said.

Kalu maintained that his political decisions, including his continued membership of the APC, were guided by his assessment of national development and party loyalty rather than ethnic considerations.