Former Abia State Governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will face no major challenger in the 2027 presidential election, predicting a contest he described as “Tinubu versus Tinubu.”

 

Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, the Abia North senator said the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the dominant political force across the country and enjoys broad national support.

 

“Has he gotten anyone contesting against him? The election is Tinubu vs Tinubu, just like Soludo vs Soludo,” Kalu said.

“Our party is fully on ground and fully with the people. Nobody can say we don’t have support. We’ll continue to help the Nigerian masses progress.”

Kalu, who previously served as Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, reaffirmed that the 10th National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio is committed to advancing Tinubu’s economic reform agenda through pro-people legislation.

 

“The Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Ahmed Tinubu overcome economic challenges. We want Nigerians to eat three times a day,” he stated.

Reacting to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on killings in Nigeria, Kalu said Trump “told the truth.”

He condemned the violence affecting both Christians and Muslims, urging unbiased condemnation and stronger international cooperation against insecurity.

 

“The attacks across the country have claimed both Christian and Muslim lives. It’s something that should be condemned without bias,” Kalu said.

Kalu dismissed claims that he pressures others to join the APC, saying political alignment is a matter of personal conviction.

 

“I have never forced anybody to join our party. Whether my Governor joins or not is up to him,” he said.

 

He, however, expressed confidence that Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo would “eventually come home” to the APC.

 

“Soludo is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu, and the Senate President. He has no alternative but to join us — it’s confirmed.”

Assessing Nigeria’s economic situation, Kalu admitted that while macro-economic indicators are improving, everyday citizens still feel the pinch.

 

“As a businessman, I feel the pain too. The macro economy is doing well, but the micro economy is not. Foreign investors are coming in — what’s left is for the progress to trickle down to the people,” he explained.

 

He noted that both President Tinubu and the Senate are working to revive the economy and restore food security.

 

“President Tinubu has put his life into revamping the economy. The Senate is doing its best to ensure Nigerians feel the progress.”

Addressing earlier rumours of plans to impeach the Senate President, Kalu dismissed the reports as a “family misunderstanding.”

 

“There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family — it’s not going to happen,” he assured.