Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North and serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), has rejected calls from the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) to contest the presidency in 2027.
The NYLF, a coalition of 40 organizations, had put forward Kalu as a potential candidate and suggested that either Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal or Adamawa State Governor Umar Fintiri could serve as his running mate.
The group made this appeal during a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Eliot Afiyo, President of NYLF, named Obasanjo as the forum’s patron and identified both Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Kalu as their preferred candidates for the next election.
However, Kalu, through a statement released by his media office and signed by George Maduka, firmly distanced himself from any presidential ambition, reiterating his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He reaffirmed his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and dismissed speculation of a power struggle within the party regarding the 2027 election.
“The possibility of Senator Kalu running for president in 2027 does not exist. He has publicly declared his support for President Tinubu’s re-election and remains committed to advancing his administration’s policies,” the statement read.
Kalu underscored the significance of Tinubu’s economic initiatives, emphasizing that long-term stability and development require continuity in governance.
“For these reforms to be fully realized, there must be a consistent and inclusive approach. The President needs the full eight-year tenure to solidify these efforts,” he said.
Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with Tinubu, which dates back to their time as governors in 1999, Kalu praised the President’s determination in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He called on Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu and support his re-election bid.
“No Nigerian leader has tackled economic reforms with the level of determination President Tinubu has shown. Now that he has embarked on this journey, the most logical step is to support him and ensure he completes the work he has started,” Kalu stated.
Additionally, he advised opposition figures to focus on their own political aspirations rather than attempting to draw him into their affairs.