Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has defended President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term, saying Nigerians have previously re-elected leaders despite criticisms of their administrations.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, said Nigerians have voted for former presidents for a second term despite what he described as mistakes made during their first tenure. Speaking on the country’s political landscape, the former Abia State governor expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu could also secure another mandate.
According to Kalu, the country’s electoral system requires candidates to build support across Nigeria rather than rely on a single region. He said a presidential candidate cannot emerge by winning only the South East, adding that the Constitution requires broad national acceptance across several states before a candidate can be declared the winner of a presidential election.
The senator stated, “If we can vote for past presidents, then we can vote for Tinubu again. I know past presidents who made more mistakes than Tinubu but were voted again.” He also said, “You cannot become the President of Nigeria by winning only the South Eastern states. You need to win across the country to become the President of Nigeria.”
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, a presidential candidate must secure the highest number of valid votes cast and also obtain at least 25 per cent of the votes in no fewer than two-thirds of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory before being declared elected. Political parties have already begun consultations and strategic planning ahead of the 2027 general election, although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has not commenced the official election process.
The development means discussions around the 2027 presidential election are gaining momentum as political leaders continue to outline their positions. Kalu’s remarks reinforce the argument that national elections depend on broad geographical support rather than regional strength alone. His comments also reflect the growing focus on coalition-building and nationwide voter outreach as parties prepare for the next electoral cycle.
