Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun State governorship election does not constitute a setback for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Kalu, who congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, said the outcome of Saturday’s poll reflected democracy and provided an opportunity for the All Progressives Congress to strengthen its structures and reconnect with the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, the former governor maintained that Tinubu’s political prospects in Osun remained “very bright.”
He urged APC leaders and supporters not to be discouraged by the result but to use it to reassess the party’s strategies, strengthen its grassroots structures and deepen engagement with voters and other stakeholders.
“I join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as the Governor of Osun State. I also sympathise with the APC leadership, our party’s governorship candidate and all our supporters over the outcome of the election,” Kalu said.
Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party, defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the keenly contested election, which was seen as an important political test ahead of the 2027 elections.
“What happened in Osun is democracy in play. Elections are about the choice of the people, and as a party, we should be able to come back stronger,” Kalu said.
The senator also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, for his contributions to the development of the state, while urging APC members to remain united and focused.
Kalu argued that the APC’s loss in the state did not automatically translate into a rejection of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He maintained that the President could still secure broad-based support in Osun, noting that political alliances and support for Tinubu could extend beyond APC members to stakeholders and supporters of other political parties.
“The future of President Bola Tinubu in Osun State is very bright. The outcome of this election is not a setback for Mr. President. Rather, it gives us another opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the people and work together for the success of Nigeria,” Kalu said.
He said the APC should regard the election as a learning experience and use the period before the 2027 polls to rebuild its grassroots structures and improve its engagement with the people.
Kalu urged political stakeholders to accept the outcome of the election and focus on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, national unity and development.
