Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will wrest power from the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State during the 2027 general elections.
Kalu made the declaration on Sunday while addressing a large gathering of supporters and party members at Abia Hotels, Umuahia. He said the time had come for Abia to align with the mainstream of national politics to enjoy greater benefits from the Federal Government.
“We are going to take over Abia in 2027. We want to work with the President to move our state forward,” he stated, emphasizing that the enthusiastic crowd was not “a rented one” but an “organic show of love” for President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
The Deputy Speaker also revealed that President Tinubu is committed to establishing a seaport in the South East to boost trade and commerce, noting that the President recognizes the region’s leading role in business activities.
He, however, criticised the Abia State Government, arguing that its performance does not reflect the huge federal allocations it receives. “You cannot be getting N38 billion to N40 billion every month and still be doing what former governors did with N4 billion or N5 billion,” Kalu said.
He attributed the development strides seen across several states to President Tinubu’s fiscal reforms particularly the removal of fuel subsidy which, according to him, increased funds available to state governments. “The miracle maker is not the governors but the President who releases money to the states,” he added.
Kalu dismissed insinuations that the APC plans to rely on “federal might” to win in 2027, insisting that the party’s victory would be driven by popular support. “We are not going to take over this state by force. We will win with the people who are saying they need more,” he declared.
He urged residents to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the elections while encouraging students to apply for the Federal Government’s Students’ Loan Scheme. He also advised traders and artisans to form cooperative societies to access benefits under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Partners initiative.
Reaffirming his loyalty to President Tinubu, Kalu described him as a leader who “has done well and means well for the South East.”
Among those present at the Independence anniversary gathering were former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka; Chief Sam Onuigbo, South East representative on the North East Development Commission; and Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The event, which evolved into a mini political rally, saw various APC support groups drum support for Kalu and President Tinubu. Some attendees even called on the Deputy Speaker to contest the 2027 governorship election a suggestion he tactfully avoided.
