Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has downplayed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Abia State governor insisted that President Bola Tinubu has not influenced political defections or interfered with electoral institutions.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday during activities marking his birthday, Kalu described accusations from opposition figures as baseless, urging political stakeholders to uphold democratic values.
“The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC,” Kalu said, defending the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Kalu added, “INEC is an independent body and we have a lot of respect for the chairman. He is an erudite Professor of Law. So, let us stop this frivolity. People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously.”
He maintained that the ruling party does not coerce politicians into joining its ranks, stressing that party switches are voluntary.
“President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party. I am a witness, if a governor decides to join APC, that is his business. We welcome him. Nobody is forcing anybody; it is a negotiation,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2027, Kalu expressed confidence in Tinubu’s re-election prospects, arguing that opposition parties remain fragmented and lack compelling alternatives.
“I don’t think any of them will defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election,” he declared.
“The opposition is very weak. Let them present what they will do better than President Tinubu to Nigerian people. I have not seen it.”
On speculation about zoning the Senate Presidency to the South-East, the lawmaker said no official decision had been taken, noting that such matters rest with party leadership.
“I am not aware of that. This is an entire matter for the leadership of the party,” he said, adding that “if anything is given to me, I will take. Not that I’m looking for anything.”
Kalu also dismissed concerns that the current administration has sidelined members of the 1999 political class, stating that many still maintain cordial relationships with the President.
On regional development, he rejected claims that the South-East has been neglected, noting that both the current administration and that of former President Muhammadu Buhari have contributed to the region’s growth.
“Every President has something to add, we got what we were supposed to get from President Buhari, and maybe we are getting more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” he said.
Assessing ongoing economic reforms, Kalu acknowledged that while some challenges persist, particularly at the grassroots level, there are positive indicators at the macro level.
“The upper end of the reform is working, investors are pouring in. But the lower end has some problems because of insecurity and sabotage,” he said. “Reforms do not survive in one day. It takes time.”
He likened the APC’s growing influence to “a moving train,” pointing to increasing defections and expanding grassroots support across the country.
“Even in my village that were not APC before, everybody is joining APC, we are rocking like a hurricane,” Kalu added.
The senator, however, cautioned that sustaining the party’s dominance would depend on effective internal management and the ability to deliver good governance.
