ADELEKE’S OSUN WIN WILL NOT IN ANY WAY HURT TINUBU’S REELECTION BID – SENATOR ORJI KALU. (PHOTO).

 Adeleke’s Osun win will not in any way hurt Tinubu’s reelection bid – Senator Orji Kalu

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 prospects in 2027.

In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, Kalu congratulated Adeleke on his re-election and described the outcome of Saturday’s poll as a reflection of democracy. He said the result offered the All Progressives Congress (APC) an opportunity to strengthen its structures and reconnect with the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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 Accord Party candidate, defeated the APC’s Bola Oyebamiji in the keenly contested election, widely viewed as an important political test ahead of 2027.

Kalu maintained that Tinubu’s political prospects in Osun remained “very bright” and urged APC leaders and supporters not to be discouraged. He called on the party to reassess its strategies, strengthen grassroots structures and deepen engagement with voters and other stakeholders.

“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.

The senator also praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, for his contributions to the state’s development, while urging APC members to remain united and focused.

Kalu argued that the APC’s loss did not automatically translate into a rejection of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He said the President could still secure broad-based support in Osun, including from 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 stated.

He described the election as a learning experience for the APC and urged the party to use the period before 2027 to rebuild its grassroots base and improve engagement with the people. Kalu further called on political stakeholders to accept the result and focus on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, national unity and development.