Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North in the Nigerian Senate, has confirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has one clear presidential candidate for the 2027 election: President Bola Tinubu. While highlighting the need for an Igbo president in Nigeria’s future, Kalu made it clear that the time for such a shift is not in the upcoming election cycle. He stressed that President Tinubu must complete his full term of eight years in office before any discussions about a potential Igbo presidency can be taken seriously.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kalu reiterated the importance of ensuring the political future of the Igbo people, but noted that such a matter cannot be rushed. “I am not going to discuss anything about the Igbo presidency, but I still tell you there is a need for it,” Kalu said, making a clear but cautious statement about his belief in the importance of the Igbos having their shot at the presidency at some point.
When asked directly about the timing of an Igbo presidency, Kalu was firm in his stance that the 2027 election is not the right time for such a shift. He was adamant that President Tinubu must be allowed to complete his full eight-year mandate as president. “In our party, we have only one presidential candidate now, and Tinubu has to do eight years. It’s a must,” Kalu asserted.
This statement reflects the position of Kalu and many within the APC, who believe that President Tinubu’s first term, which began in May 2023, must be allowed to run its full course. Kalu cited the progress made under Tinubu’s leadership, particularly in repairing the Nigerian economy, as evidence of the need for continuity in governance. “You can see the repairs he has done to the economy, and things are starting to pick up again,” he said.
Kalu also added that despite the widespread discussions around presidential elections, President Tinubu has not shown any public interest in prematurely campaigning for a second term. “This president is not even doing politics. He has never told anybody he wants to run for election or not,” Kalu stated, suggesting that the focus should remain on governance rather than political ambitions.
The Senator’s comments are in line with the APC’s current official stance, as expressed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Kalu referred to a motion of confidence passed in favour of President Tinubu’s leadership, which was proposed by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and announced by Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman. This motion, Kalu explained, affirmed the party’s commitment to Tinubu’s leadership and the expectation that he will lead the country for the full duration of his first term.
While Kalu’s immediate focus is on supporting President Tinubu’s current term, he did not shy away from addressing the issue of an Igbo presidency in Nigeria’s future. The question of an Igbo president has been a long-standing demand, particularly following the civil war and the perceived political marginalisation of the Igbo people.
Kalu’s remarks suggest that, while the call for an Igbo president is important, it is a matter for the future, once the current political situation has settled. “The Igbo must present an acceptable candidate to all Nigerians. No one zone can make a president. President Tinubu was not elected by the Yoruba. He was elected by all Nigerians,” Kalu said, underlining the necessity for a broad, national support base for any future presidential candidate from the Southeast region.
The endorsement of Tinubu by party leaders such as Kalu is seen as a critical step in maintaining party unity ahead of the next election cycle. Despite any lingering internal party disputes or rivalries, the APC has signalled a strong commitment to Tinubu’s leadership and his ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s economic and political challenges.
The issue of the Igbo presidency, however, remains a point of contention for many in the Southeast, who feel that the region’s historical exclusion from the highest office in the land needs to be addressed. The region’s political elites have long campaigned for a president of Igbo descent to reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic composition.
