Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has strongly refuted claims made by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election. Abaribe had previously stated on Channels Television that Tinubu, having not truly won the 2023 election, would face rejection from Nigerians due to prevailing economic hardships.

In a statement released Tuesday, Kalu questioned the basis of Abaribe’s prediction, pointing to the current state of disarray within opposition political parties. He argued that these parties lack the necessary structure and momentum to challenge President Tinubu effectively in the upcoming electoral cycle.

“The opposition parties lack both the structure and momentum to unseat President Tinubu come 2027,” Kalu asserted. He further elaborated, “I have not seen the momentum opposition will be able to challenge him. The election is Tinubu versus Tinubu, and that is it. That is the truth. Whether you like it or not, I’m a politician of 30-something years and I know how we play it.”

Kalu reminded Abaribe of their shared experience in the 9th Senate, where they witnessed policy failures of previous administrations. He posited that President Tinubu’s current approach represents a significant and historic departure from past economic strategies.

“We were both in the 9th Senate, we saw massively how things went. The difference between now and then is that President Tinubu is trying to build an economy that will not be based on free handouts, and we have never had it before,” Kalu explained. He emphasized that this administration is focused on building a sustainable economic foundation.

While acknowledging the current economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, Kalu attributed these hardships to the process of rebuilding a system that he claims was fundamentally flawed. He maintained that President Tinubu is undertaking the crucial task of establishing a sustainable economy.

“I know things are difficult. We had no economy before. President Tinubu is trying to rebuild. For the first time, a president is coming to build an economy that will be sustainable by every parameter,” Kalu stated. He contrasted this with previous economic models reliant on “handouts” and “cheap money.”

Kalu’s remarks underscore a significant political debate regarding the incumbent president’s prospects and the strength of the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. His defense of Tinubu’s economic policies suggests a belief in the long-term vision of the administration, despite short-term challenges.

Read Original

Keywords: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Orji Uzor Kalu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, 2027 presidential election, Nigerian politics, economic hardship, opposition parties, sustainable economy