“I’m Backing Tinubu, APC; Igbos Supporting Igbo Candidates Not My Business” – Senator Orji Kalu
“I’m Backing Tinubu, APC; Igbos Supporting Igbo Candidates Not My Business” – Senator Orji Kalu
Kalu said he would not abandon his political party to support candidates from other parties simply because they are of Igbo extraction.
The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that party loyalty should take precedence over ethnic considerations in politics.Follow Politics
Kalu said he would not abandon his political party to support candidates from other parties simply because they are of Igbo extraction.
The former Abia State governor stated this on Monday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he addressed questions about his political allegiance and expectations that he should support Igbo candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on the issue, Kalu said his responsibility was to support his party rather than allow ethnic considerations to determine his political decisions.
“Party loyalty is number one. I am not ethnically loyal; I am a Nigerian, and we must behave like Nigerians. My business is to support my party,” he said.Nigerian news analysis
He also dismissed calls for him to support Igbo politicians contesting on other political platforms, insisting that he had no reason to campaign for candidates outside the APC.
According to him, his membership of the ruling party makes it unreasonable to expect him to support candidates of other political parties.
“I am not in the political party where they are contesting. Why should they call my name? I mean, they shouldn’t,” he said.
Kalu further recalled his political journey through the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, and his eventual membership of the APC.
He maintained that having chosen to remain in the APC, he would not support candidates contesting against the party.
The senator also argued that the APC remained the appropriate political platform through which the interests of the South-East could be pursued.
He said Nigerians who preferred to pursue their political interests outside the APC were free to do so, adding that their decisions would not change his commitment to the ruling party.
His comments come amid political realignments and growing discussions over the 2027 presidential election, particularly concerning the possibility of an Igbo presidential candidate and support from political leaders in the South-East.
Kalu has consistently defended his support for Tinubu, arguing that political loyalty should be determined by party affiliation rather than ethnic identity.
He was also recently reported to have predicted victory for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
