Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political prospects in Osun State remain “very bright” ahead of the 2027 presidential election, despite the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s defeat in the state’s governorship poll.
Kalu, in a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, August 16, 2026, said Tinubu could still count on broad support in Osun, including from political stakeholders within the APC and the Accord Party.
His remarks followed President Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, after the latter was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.
Kalu congratulated Adeleke on his victory while commiserating with the APC leadership, the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and other party supporters over the outcome.
“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,” he said.
The former governor also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to the development of the state.
Kalu described the election outcome as an expression of the electorate’s choice, urging members of the APC to accept the result and begin preparations to strengthen the party ahead of future contests.
“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,” he said.
Despite the APC’s loss in the governorship election, Kalu maintained that the result should not be viewed as an indication that Tinubu has lost political ground in Osun.
He argued that the President’s prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election remain strong, stressing that the outcome of a state governorship election should not automatically be interpreted as a verdict on a presidential contest.
Kalu said Tinubu would continue to attract support from political stakeholders across party lines, including members of the APC and Accord Party in the state.
He consequently urged political leaders and party supporters to remain committed to democratic principles, work toward reconciliation and prioritise the unity and progress of Nigeria.
The senator’s comments come after the Accord Party’s Adeleke defeated APC candidate Oyebamiji in the August 15 Osun governorship election, securing a second term in office.
