The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, recently made a bold prediction regarding the political future of Abia State, asserting that the incumbent governor In person of Alex Otti, would be the last to emerge from the Labour Party. Kalu’s statement, which gained significant attention after a video of his remarks went viral on Monday, highlights the growing confidence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming gubernatorial elections.
In the video, Benjamin Kalu, who represents the Bende Federal Constituency and previously served as the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, acknowledged the current governor’s performance but emphasized the need for APC leadership in Abia State. He argued that the state’s alignment with the APC would better position it to benefit from President Bola Tinubu’s contributions to the region.
“This will be the last time that a Labour governor will govern Abia State,” Kalu stated unequivocally. “The next governor of Abia State will be an APC governor. I am confident because my government is working hard, the President is working hard, and Abia will repay the president.”
Kalu pointed to President Tinubu’s initiatives, such as the establishment of the South East Development Commission and key appointments of Abians in the federal administration, as reasons why the state should shift its allegiance to the APC. He stressed that the people of Abia State should not be ungrateful, implying that the state’s continued development depends on aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.
“We are not ungrateful people. Monkey will not work, and baboon chop. APC will not help the state to be strong, and Labour will take the credit,” Kalu asserted.
Kalu also addressed the personal stakes involved, noting that as the Deputy Speaker, he finds it untenable that another party governs his state. “We are friends, we work together, but I will not be the number six citizen of the country, and another party will govern my state. The next election in 2027, APC will be there.”
The Deputy Speaker’s remarks signal the APC’s determination to secure the governorship in Abia State in the next election cycle. While Kalu did not specify how the party plans to achieve this, his confidence in the APC’s ability to govern the state is clear. He emphasized that the APC would decide the next governor of Abia State, irrespective of the individual candidate.
Kalu’s statements come as Abia State continues to be governed by the Labour Party, with Governor Alex Otti, a former banking executive, having secured victory in the March 2023 general election. Otti’s win was significant, as he garnered 172,246 votes, surpassing his closest rival, Mr. Ahiwe of the PDP, who received 78,628 votes—a margin of 93,618 votes.
As the 2027 elections approach, Kalu’s declaration sets the stage for a highly competitive political landscape in Abia State. The APC’s strategy and the electorate’s response will determine whether Kalu’s prediction comes true, potentially reshaping the state’s political dynamics in the process.
