Tinubu Has ‘No Competition’, Opposition Too Weak — Orji Kalu

• Senator Orji Uzor Kalu says President Bola Tinubu remains the favourite to win the 2027 presidential election, insisting he has “no competition” and that the opposition is too divided to pose a serious challenge.

Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that President Bola Tinubu remains the favourite to win the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the opposition is too divided to pose a serious challenge despite the country’s economic difficulties.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former Abia State governor defended the Tinubu administration, saying the government had made significant progress in stabilising the economy and improving security, even though many Nigerians were still facing economic hardship.

Kalu maintained that President Tinubu currently has “no competition” ahead of the next general election, attributing his confidence to the administration’s achievements and what he described as a fragmented opposition.

“I told you here before that President Tinubu has no competition, and I am still repeating it, he has no competition,” Kalu said.

According to him, the administration’s biggest challenge has been its inability to effectively communicate its achievements to Nigerians.

“It is just that we were very unlucky that we did not market what this government has done very well. President Tinubu himself was not interested in marketing what he has delivered. People simply took many of the achievements for granted.”

Kalu also claimed the President faces opposition from political rivals both within and outside government.

“Tinubu has a lot of arch-enemies, both within and outside government, who want to pull him down.”

While admitting that the economy has yet to fully improve for ordinary Nigerians, the senator argued that the administration deserves another term to consolidate its reforms.

“The economy is doing well partially, but it has not gone down to the level we expected.”

Assessing Tinubu’s performance after three years in office, Kalu awarded the President 65 per cent, expressing optimism that the score would improve in the coming months.

“In the scale of 100, President Tinubu has done 65 per cent well. It is only the micro economy that is still struggling.”

He blamed the slow recovery of the microeconomy on insecurity, particularly banditry, saying farmers have been unable to return fully to their farms.

Kalu also urged Nigerians to acknowledge the efforts of security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the country.

On public protests over economic hardship, he maintained that demonstrations remain part of democratic governance but insisted the government is making progress.

“Protest is part of democracy. I cannot deny people their right to protest. It is their entitlement. But are we doing well? The answer is yes.”

The senator dismissed social media narratives suggesting widespread rejection of the Tinubu administration, describing many of them as false.

He further argued that the opposition’s inability to unite significantly strengthens the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 election.

“The opposition is very weak. If they were together, we would start having some sleepless nights. But now they are not together.”

Although he acknowledged that a united opposition could pose a greater challenge, Kalu insisted President Tinubu would still emerge victorious.

Asked about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and other opposition figures, he maintained that none of them individually poses a serious threat to the President’s re-election.

“All these people are not threats. If they had been together, there would be a problem.”

Kalu also predicted that Tinubu would improve his electoral performance in the South-East and expressed confidence that the President would win Abia State in 2027.

He added that while Governor Alex Otti was likely to secure a second term as governor, Tinubu would still emerge victorious in the presidential election in the state.

On whether he would accept defeat if Tinubu lost, Kalu said he would congratulate the winner but insisted he does not see that happening.

“If President Tinubu loses, I will congratulate whoever wins. But President Tinubu can never lose the election because he has done so well, and our party members across the country will campaign until we win.”