By Olugbenga Salami
President Bola Tinubu, has mandated former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu to coordinate the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kalu, who chairs the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, SEDC, said the directive followed a recent meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Confirming the development on his official Facebook page, the former Senate Chief Whip thanked Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate activities in Abia State in respect of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” he wrote.
Outlining his focus, Kalu stressed party cohesion and electoral readiness in the state.
“As the most senior former governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the President’s directive, to ensure that the APC in Abia produces candidates who are widely acceptable, united in purpose, and well‑positioned to secure victory in the state for the President’s re‑election, while advancing the best interests of Abia State and Nigeria at large,” he added.
The assignment highlights ongoing efforts by the APC to strengthen its grassroots structure in Abia, a state where the party has historically faced stiff opposition, as it positions for improved electoral performance.
In a related development underscoring the administration’s 2027 political calculations, there are strong indications that President Tinubu may be favourably disposed to granting automatic Senate tickets to a select group of lawmakers.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, dropped the hint during an interaction with political stakeholders in the state.
According to the governor, lawmakers being considered for continuity include Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West), Orji Kalu (Abia North), Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar (Kebbi North), Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos West), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), and Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), among others.
Governor Idris said the senators have been pivotal in stabilising the National Assembly by providing steady leadership, fostering synergy with the executive, and ensuring the smooth passage of key policies and reforms under the current administration.
He noted that their contributions have strengthened governance and reinforced legislative‑executive cooperation, factors believed to be driving the consideration for automatic return tickets.
While there is no official confirmation from the Presidency or the APC’s national leadership on the proposed automatic tickets, the report has sparked debate in political circles.
Analysts see it as a strategy to retain experienced lawmakers and consolidate political loyalty ahead of the next election cycle.
Together, Kalu’s new coordinating role in Abia and the reported plan for automatic Senate tickets point to a broader consolidation strategy by the Tinubu administration — reinforcing party structures at the state level while maintaining stability and continuity in the National Assembly.
