By Aaron Ossai
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Abia State, particularly governorship hopefuls, to remain determined and actively pursue their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Hon. Kalu made the appeal while receiving one of the party’s frontline governorship aspirants, Dr. Eric Opah, at his country home in Bende.
He assured party members and aspirants of his continued support, stressing that no one should abandon the political struggle because he or she is not contesting for governor.
According to him, the momentum already built within the party must be sustained to secure victories across all elective positions in the state.
He emphasized that the same commitment and energy that strengthened the party would help produce future governors, lawmakers, senators, and contribute significantly to the re-election efforts of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Speaking further, Kalu disclosed that other APC stakeholders, including former Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikoh, and Mascot Uzor Kalu, had also formally informed him of their political intentions, adding that the party remained open to all aspirants.
The Deputy Speaker, however, advocated for consensus arrangements among aspirants before considering direct primaries and warned against zoning the APC governorship ticket outside Abia Central Senatorial District.
He argued that since the current governor occupies the position from Abia Central, the principle of power rotation should be respected to preserve political stability and unity in the state.
Kalu noted that Abia’s zoning arrangement had helped reduce political tension, violence, and acrimony over the years, urging APC members to uphold the tradition for the sake of cohesion.
Reflecting on a viral statement he made two years ago that “APC will take Abia” in 2027, Kalu said many people wrongly assumed he was declaring a personal governorship ambition and explained that his focus had always been on building a strong grassroots political structure capable of winning elections for the party across the state, rather than pursuing personal ambition.
According to him, Abia State has remained politically distant from the federal government for too long; a situation he believes has denied the state several opportunities and developmental benefits.
Kalu maintained that aligning the state with the ruling party at the centre would enable Abia to gain greater access to federal resources and opportunities.
He further praised President Bola Tinubu for promoting true federalism and empowering sub-national governments, insisting that Abia State stands to benefit more by integrating into mainstream national politics.
