The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged the people of the South-East to back President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, saying he deserves a re-election in 2027.

Kalu argued that Tinubu has done enough to earn another four-year term in office due to his transformative strides in economic, social, and political reforms in the last two years.

He made this known while receiving members of the Tinubu Mandate Support Group (TMSG) and Club 17 Initiative during courtesy visits in Umuahia, Abia state capital.

He described Tinubu as a good product to sell for a second term, appealing to Igbos to invest their votes in the former Lagos State Governor during the 2027 presidential election.

ALSO READ: Obi, Kwankwaso worked for Tinubu — activist Adeyanju sparks coalition storm

“That was a good motivation, thank you. You’re the partners we’ve been waiting for. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a good product to be sold for a second term,” Kalu was quoted in a statement by his media aide, Udora Orizu.

“I believed in him a long time ago, but he first believed in me and started assisting me before I met him. I was one of those who went to meet him and beg him to run for president.

“I will continue to stand by him. He’s a progressive Nigerian who wants to leave a legacy. God blessed him; he came to make a good shift in the way the nation is built. He loves and is intentional about the country. He’s doing a lot that has never been done.

“Our business is to tell the people the good work of President Tinubu’s agenda. Igbos should come together. Let’s give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu all the support that he needs.

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“We should invest our votes where there’s progress, and that’s Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It’s on his mandate that we’re going to stand as Ndi Igbo. He came and started giving us relevance, bringing us closer.”

For his part, TMSG Chairman Armstrong Okoronkwo assured the Deputy Speaker that the group would work to ensure Tinubu’s re-election.

ALSO READ: I’m not surprised – Dele Momodu reacts to defections from PDP to APC, cautions Tinubu

“We are happy to associate with you; our focus is to go from house to house to tell them about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tell them what he’s doing for South East and for Abia State in particular,” Okoronkwo said.

“The wisdom of choosing you as the deputy speaker has brightened our chances politically. We need your support to kickstart the campaign for Tinubu.”

Former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has called on northern political leaders to back President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027.

Tompolo, who recently declared his support for Tinubu’s second term, described the President as a good leader with the experience needed to move Nigeria to greater heights. He appealed during an interview with Arise Television, amid growing opposition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku, alongside former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other northern leaders, is reportedly pushing for a coalition aimed at defeating Tinubu and the ruling party in the upcoming election.

However, Tompolo urged the North to give Tinubu the same opportunity former President Muhammadu Buhari enjoyed by allowing him to complete eight years in office. He vowed to personally visit northern states to drum up support for the President’s reelection.

ALSO READ: ‘Invest your votes in Tinubu in 2027’ – Deputy Speaker Kalu appeals to Igbos

“We will do our part, even go out of our boundary to the northern part of Nigeria to talk to our brothers so that he will get his second tenure. Tinubu is a good person; he has the experience to bring this country to a higher level,” Tompolo said.

“I am travelling across all the northern states to appeal to them. Buhari spent eight years. We must allow Tinubu to complete his eight years too. There is no need for anybody to say we have a monopoly of power. By the grace of God, everybody will support us.”

Tompolo also revealed that traditional rulers in Delta State have already endorsed Tinubu for another term.

ALSO READ: Tinubu saved Nigeria’s economy from collapse – Senator Yayi

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has downplayed the political significance of recent high-profile defections, insisting that electoral victories in Nigeria are determined by the people, not by governors, presidents, or political godfathers.

Speaking to journalists in Kano State, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain stated that political movements by elite politicians have limited influence on grassroots voting outcomes.

“As far as I’m concerned, the defection of high-profile politicians is not the issue,” El-Rufai said.

“These defections are good for headlines and to sell newspapers, but politically on the ground, if you don’t have the people, your profile means nothing.”

READ ALSO: El-Rufai launch fresh attack on APC – charges opposition to unite ahead of 2027

His comments follow the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports also suggest that more governors and lawmakers may soon follow.

El-Rufai emphasised that real political power lies with the electorate.

“We want to return politics to the people, not to godfathers or so-called high-profile politicians.

“A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have millions. If the people say no, it’s over,” he said.

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READ ALSO: El-Rufai finally breaks silence on APC betrayal

He pointed to his own experience as Kaduna State governor as evidence that incumbents don’t always carry the day.

“I fought hard to deliver the president in my state, but I lost,” he admitted. “Governors don’t determine election results — the people do.”

El-Rufai’s comments serve as a direct challenge to the assumption that political elite alignments automatically shift electoral outcomes, thereby reinforcing the SDP’s grassroots campaign message.