Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has vowed that APC will defeat Otti in 2027 in Abia Governorship Election.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take control of Abia State from the Labour Party in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Sunday during a gathering of supporters and party members at Abia Hotels, Umuahia, Kalu said the state must be integrated into the national political mainstream to benefit fully from federal opportunities.
“We are going to take over Abia in 2027. We want to work with President Tinubu to move our state forward,” he said.
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Kalu revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making plans to establish a seaport in the South East, a move aimed at boosting trade and commerce in the region. He noted that the President understands the South East’s business-oriented population and is determined to bring development closer to them.
He dismissed claims that the large turnout of supporters was financially induced, insisting the support was “organic” and based on genuine love for the President and the APC’s vision.
“When they see us gather, they think it’s about money. It’s not. It’s about love for our President and the momentum for 2027,” Kalu added.
The Deputy Speaker, however, criticized the Abia State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, alleging that its performance does not match the scale of funds received from the Federal Government.
“You cannot be getting N38 to N40 billion every month and still do what former governors did with N4 or N5 billion. It is not fair to the people,” he said.
Kalu further argued that the visible progress across states should be credited to President Tinubu’s fiscal reforms and the removal of fuel subsidy, which, he said, enabled more funds to be released to state governments.
“The real miracle worker is the President who stopped fuel subsidy and shared the savings with states, not the governors,” he stated.
He vowed to remain vocal in holding the state government accountable despite criticisms, describing himself as a “watchdog for the masses.”
Kalu clarified that APC’s planned takeover of Abia would not rely on “federal might” but on popular support from the people.
“We are not taking Abia by force. The people who desire better will vote for APC,” he affirmed.
He also urged Abians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the next election cycle and encouraged students to enroll in the Students’ Loan Scheme introduced by the Tinubu administration.
Kalu further appealed to traders and artisans to form cooperatives and connect with the Renewed Hope Cooperative Partners to access federal financial support.
The event, which coincided with Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, drew several APC stalwarts including former Abia Speaker Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, Chief Sam Onuigbo, and Chief Charles Ogbonnaya.
The atmosphere turned festive as various APC support groups chanted solidarity songs for President Tinubu and Kalu, with many urging the Deputy Speaker to join the 2027 governorship race, a call he tactfully declined to confirm.
