Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Thursday, announced his decision to withdraw support for Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 general elections, vowing instead to work for the victory of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Kalu also declared that Abia people would be shortchanging themselves if they fail to return him to the Senate in 2027.
The former governor made the remarks while addressing a press conference at his Camp Neya country home in Igbere, Abia State. He said he would prioritise the interests of his party, the APC, rather than support Governor Otti, unlike what he did during the 2023 elections.
Kalu, who said he had always refrained from criticising Governor Otti, expressed surprise that the governor allegedly allowed his aides to attack him for stating that he would work for the APC in 2027.
“I consider the governor a friend, and in two years I have never criticised him. I said APC is my party and I will work for APC to win,” Kalu said.
“We supported him (Otti) to win in 2023, but we are not going to do that again. We will work for our party to win. What is wrong with that? Is that why I should receive insults? It is not acceptable to me, and I am going to work for my party.”
Responding to a question on whether Governor Otti deserved a second term based on his performance, Senator Kalu acknowledged that more funds were flowing into the state under the current administration but argued that the governor had enjoyed far greater financial resources than he did while in office.
Kalu claimed that Governor Otti received in two to four months what Abia State received in allocations during the entire eight years of his own administration as governor.
“If he has done better, I don’t know about that, because you can see what I did in two years as governor. The records are there. The money Alex Otti received in four months is what I received in eight years,” he said.
“So, what he has done is largely repainting and rebuilding roads I built as governor between 1999 and 2007. I have not seen any major new roads like the ones I did. They tried rebuilding some of the roads I constructed, such as the Uzuakoli–Ohafia Road, but I have not seen anything extraordinary.
“This business is not done on social media. It is done at the right time by the people on the ground.”
Kalu added that he personally worked for Governor Otti’s victory in 2023, noting that he even called his brother, who was contesting under the APP, to step down in support of Otti.
On his performance in the Senate, Kalu gave himself a pass mark, insisting that his achievements were unmatched by many of his colleagues.
“I am in the Senate, and all the roads I am constructing in communities are brand-new farm roads. In two years, I have already done what people never believed could be done,” he said.
The former Senate Chief Whip also recalled that education and healthcare were free during his tenure as Abia State governor.
“Education was 100 per cent free. Healthcare was free. So, I have not even seen what they have done that is new,” he stated.
Kalu denied ever engaging in electoral malpractice, stressing that he believes in the will of the people.
“I have never rigged any election. Nobody has ever accused me of rigging elections. Even those who took me to court never accused me of rigging. I don’t support that. I want the will of the people to prevail,” he said.
He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would win Abia State and the 2027 presidential election.
“President Tinubu will win the state. He will win the presidential election, and you will see it. I am going to work for it,” he declared.
On his brother’s governorship ambition, Kalu said there was nothing wrong with him aspiring to become governor.
“What is wrong with my brother contesting for governorship? There is nothing wrong,” he said.
The senator dismissed claims of factionalisation within the Abia APC, insisting that the party remained united.
“APC is one. All of them want to win the election,” he said.
Reacting to speculation that Governor Otti might defect to the APC, Kalu said he was unsure if the governor had made up his mind, adding that he could not stop him if he chose to join the party.
“I am not sure he is going to join APC. I am not the owner of the party. If he joins, that is fine. What happened in 2023 also matters,” he said.
When asked whether he would reconsider his stance if Otti eventually joined the APC, Kalu replied, “I think we will get to that.”
Addressing his renewed support for President Tinubu despite opposing him in 2023, Kalu said the past should remain history.
“Politics is politics. I can never disobey a sitting President. Bygone is bygone. We are moving forward as a political party,” he said.
In his message to Abians ahead of 2027, Kalu said he was returning to the political field with renewed vigour.
“The OUK they know is back on track. When I am in the field, the masses will join. Market women and partisan politicians will enjoy,” he said.
Explaining why he seeks another term in the Senate after eight years as governor and eight years as a senator, Kalu said he still has more development projects to deliver to his constituents.
“You can see that the development here is unprecedented. Not up to 20 out of 109 senators have done what I have done. Abia will be shortchanging itself if it does not send me back to the Senate. They will be losing,” he said.
“I am building roads and schools everywhere.”
