The Abia State Government has dismissed claims credited to the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, that Abia State would become an All Progressives Congress (APC) state in the 2027 general elections.
The government’s reaction followed recent remarks attributed to Senator Kalu in which he declared his intention to work for the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC governorship candidate in Abia State during the 2027 elections.
Responding in a statement issued on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said Governor Alex Otti had never sought Senator Kalu’s support for his re-election nor requested him to work against his party.
According to the statement, the governor respects the constitutional right of Senator Kalu to support any political party of his choice but found it necessary to respond after his name was repeatedly mentioned in the senator’s remarks.
Ekeoma described Senator Kalu’s repeated emphasis on not supporting Governor Otti as unnecessary, noting that threats or political posturing would not weaken the governor.
The statement also questioned the effectiveness of Senator Kalu’s political influence, challenging him to make public his polling unit and ward results from the 2023 presidential and governorship elections.
Citing records from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Abia government claimed that the APC lost both the presidential and governorship elections in Bende Local Government Area, Senator Kalu’s home base, despite his public support for the party.
The government further stated that Governor Otti’s electoral victory in 2023 was based on public trust in his competence, integrity, and campaign promises, which made him the only Labour Party governor in Nigeria.
It added that the administration’s performance over the past three years had further strengthened public confidence in the governor, insisting that Abia residents now see Governor Otti as their political rallying point ahead of the 2027 elections.
On the 2027 Abia North Senatorial contest, the statement revealed that at least four aspirants have declared interest in contesting the seat under the Labour Party, stressing that whoever emerges would receive the governor’s support to challenge Senator Kalu.
The Abia State Government also referenced the reported interest of Senator Kalu’s younger brother in the 2027 governorship race, recalling that he contested the 2023 governorship election under the Action Peoples Party (APP) and finished last.
The statement concluded with a declaration that Governor Alex Otti would support the Labour Party candidate to defeat Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in the Abia North senatorial election in 2027.
