Tinubu Hands Kalu Abia APC Leadership Role, Signals Return Tickets for Select Senators

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly handed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, in a move seen as part of wider political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu, a former governor of Abia State and current chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, said the directive followed a recent meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Confirming the development through his official Facebook page, the former Senate Chief Whip thanked Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to strengthen the party’s structure in the state.

He said he would work with party stakeholders to ensure the APC produces candidates who are widely accepted, united in purpose and strategically positioned to deliver victory for the President’s re-election bid and improve the party’s standing in Abia State.

Kalu noted that as the most senior former governor in the state, he would focus on building cohesion within the party and ensuring that the APC becomes more competitive in a region where it has traditionally faced strong opposition.

The development is seen as part of the ruling party’s efforts to deepen its grassroots presence in the South-East and improve its electoral fortunes in the zone.

In a related political development, there are growing indications that President Tinubu may support automatic Senate return tickets for a select group of lawmakers considered loyal and influential within the National Assembly.

This was hinted at by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during an engagement with political stakeholders in the state.

According to him, senators reportedly being considered for continuity include Abdulaziz Yari, Adamu Aliero, Kalu, Opeyemi Bamidele, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Danjuma Goje and Adetokunbo Abiru, among others.

Governor Idris said the lawmakers had played a major role in stabilising the National Assembly by providing leadership, strengthening cooperation with the executive arm and ensuring the smooth passage of key reforms and government policies.

He argued that their contributions to legislative-executive harmony and governance continuity were strong reasons for considering them for automatic return tickets.

Although neither the Presidency nor the APC national leadership has officially confirmed the reported plan, the development has already sparked discussions within political circles, with analysts describing it as a strategic move to preserve legislative stability and reward political loyalty ahead of 2027.

Observers say Kalu’s new role in Abia and the possible automatic return tickets for select senators point to a broader strategy by the Tinubu administration to consolidate party control at both state and federal levels while preparing early for the next election cycle.