Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the All Progressives Congress’ defeat in the Osun governorship election as a wake-up call, rather than a setback to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 ambitions.
Kalu, who congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, said the APC should use the outcome to reassess its grassroots structures, reconnect with voters and strengthen its political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, the former governor acknowledged the disappointment within the APC following the loss but urged party leaders and supporters not to lose sight of the broader political contest.
“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.
He urged the party to examine the factors that influenced the election instead of dismissing the result, arguing that the lessons from Osun could help the APC rebuild its political machinery.
“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.
Kalu also commended Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun governor, Gboyega Oyetola, for his contributions to the state, while appealing to APC members to remain united.
According to him, the Osun result should not automatically be interpreted as a rejection of Tinubu, noting that presidential elections involve broader national issues, alliances and political calculations.
He argued that Tinubu could still attract support from voters and political actors outside the APC, including those aligned with opposition parties.
“The future of President Bola Ahmed 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 said.
Adeleke was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election after securing 511,067 votes against the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11.
Declaring the result at about 7:24 a.m. on Sunday, the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, said Adeleke had fulfilled the requirements of the law and was therefore returned elected.
The election recorded 1,010,684 accredited voters and 1,005,800 votes cast. Of the votes cast, 985,079 were declared valid while 20,721 were rejected.
Kalu urged APC leaders to resist discouragement and use the remaining period before the 2027 elections to rebuild the party’s structures and deepen its engagement with Osun voters.
He also called on political actors to accept the outcome of the election and continue working to strengthen democracy, national unity and development.
With the 2027 presidential contest already gathering momentum, Kalu said the APC’s ability to learn from the Osun setback, reconnect with voters and expand its political alliances would be critical to its prospects.