2027: Tinubu Still Unbeatable – Orji Kalu

Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Kalu, has declared that President Bola Tinubu remains the candidate to beat ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the administration has stabilised Nigeria’s macroeconomy despite the economic hardship facing many Nigerians.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, Kalu defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, dismissed claims of a rift between the President and the Catholic Church, and expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would retain power in the next general election.

Responding to questions on whether the Federal Government owed Nigerians an apology over the prevailing hardship, the former Abia State governor argued that Nigeria’s economic challenges must be viewed within the context of global economic disruptions rather than in isolation.

According to him, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel and the United States, as well as disruptions to global shipping routes, have placed enormous pressure on economies across the world.

He maintained that countries including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are also battling economic difficulties, stressing that Nigeria is not insulated from global economic shocks.

On criticism of the previous APC administration over the Central Bank’s Ways and Means financing, Kalu acknowledged that money was printed under the former government but said the National Assembly repeatedly advised the executive against the practice.

“We advised the executive that they shouldn’t print money, and we have equally advised President Tinubu against it,” he said, adding that the current administration has discontinued the policy.

Kalu distinguished between improvements in macroeconomic indicators and the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.

“The macro side of the economy has been stabilised. The exchange rate is stabilising, fuel prices are stabilising, foreign direct investments are coming in and confidence is gradually returning,” he said.

He, however, admitted that the microeconomy remains under pressure.

“As a businessman, I manufacture goods and I know the microeconomy is not doing well. President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are suffering.”

The senator attributed rising food prices and weak economic conditions largely to insecurity, arguing that banditry and insurgency have prevented farmers from returning to their farms, thereby reducing agricultural output.

According to him, ongoing security operations are aimed at restoring farming activities and improving food production.

“In a reform process, you see the good, the bad and the ugly. Reform is not a Christmas party. It takes time before the benefits trickle down,” he stated.

Kalu also addressed the recent exchange between the Presidency and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), defending both the bishops and President Tinubu.

He said there was nothing unusual about the bishops commenting on national issues, describing such interventions as part of the Church’s responsibility.

“The Catholic Bishops were right. If they had said anything less than what they said, they would no longer be the conscience of this country,” he said.

The senator rejected suggestions that President Tinubu had insulted the Catholic Church, arguing that comments made by presidential aides should not automatically be regarded as the President’s personal position.

“The Villa is not President Tinubu. I was a governor and I understand how communication works. President Tinubu has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church,” he stated.

Kalu added that Catholic bishops have consistently spoken truth to power under different administrations, regardless of political affiliation.

“What politicians cannot tell the President, the Catholic bishops will tell him because they have no political interests to protect,” he said.

He also opposed calls for an apology from the Presidency, insisting that President Tinubu had done nothing warranting one.

“The President did not say anything that requires an apology,” he said.

“So convinced am I that if President Tinubu ever disrespects the Catholic Church, I will resign from the APC.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Kalu maintained that President Tinubu remains the strongest contender despite current economic challenges.

He argued that the administration has recorded significant achievements in infrastructure, security and economic reforms but has not effectively communicated them to Nigerians.

“A lot has been done by this government. We simply have not marketed those achievements well,” he said.

Kalu rated the President’s performance at 65 per cent, expressing confidence that it would improve further before the next election.

“In the scale of 100, President Tinubu has done about 65 per cent. By September or October, that performance will be close to 70 per cent,” he said.

He dismissed the opposition’s chances, arguing that it lacks the unity required to defeat the APC.

“If they were united, there might be some concern, but they are not.”

The former governor also declared that the ruling party would mobilise fully behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“Our party will not allow President Tinubu to lose the election. We will campaign until he wins,” he stated.

Kalu further predicted that while Abia State Governor Alex Otti could retain the governorship, President Tinubu would still win the presidential vote in the state.

He described Otti as a personal friend but denied the existence of any political alliance between them.

On protests over economic hardship, Kalu defended the constitutional right of Nigerians to demonstrate, saying peaceful protest remains an essential feature of democracy.

He, however, cautioned against relying solely on narratives circulating on social media, warning that misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content increasingly distort public discourse.

While acknowledging that government still has significant work to do, Kalu maintained that the Tinubu administration’s reforms are laying the foundation for long-term economic recovery.

“The government is doing well, but we have not yet reached where we want to be. The macroeconomy has been stabilised. The next task is ensuring those gains translate into improved living standards for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.