Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu says he has not decided on the 2027 Abia governorship, focusing instead on strengthening APC structures for Tinubu’s victory.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has stated that he has not reached a final decision on whether he will contest the 2027 governorship election in Abia State, putting to rest growing speculation surrounding his political future.
The lawmaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, made this known during a town hall meeting with members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his hometown, Bende, located in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The event also featured the distribution of food items to residents, an initiative he said was part of ongoing efforts to support grassroots communities amid economic challenges.
Addressing party faithful, Kalu explained that his current political priority is not personal ambition but strengthening the APC from the ground up and mobilising loyal supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, building a united and formidable party structure across Abia State is critical to ensuring victory for President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that while calls and pressure from supporters have continued to mount, he remains in a period of wide consultation with party leaders and stakeholders at both state and national levels.
Benjamin Kalu said any major political decision, especially one as significant as a governorship bid, must align with party interests and collective strategy rather than personal desire.
The Deputy Speaker also used the occasion to address what he described as sustained social media attacks targeted at his person.
He alleged that the online criticisms were being orchestrated and sponsored by certain political interests within the state who feel threatened by the growing influence of the APC.
He noted that such attacks would not distract him from his mission of party consolidation and national service.
Kalu further criticised politicians who, according to him, seek political relevance by lobbying President Tinubu while remaining in opposition parties.
He described such actions as insincere and counterproductive, insisting that genuine loyalty and commitment to the President must be demonstrated through active participation within the APC.
“If you truly want to work for the President, you must belong to his party,” he told the gathering.
“The President will not abandon the APC to support individuals who refuse to identify openly with the party.”
In a move that drew attention, Benjamin Kalu openly invited Abia State Governor Alex Otti to consider joining the APC.
He assured the governor that the party in Abia would welcome him without hostility should he decide to defect.
According to Kalu, political realignment in the state should be driven by shared goals of development, stability, and support for the President’s vision.
He emphasized that the APC’s expanding grassroots network across Abia is steadily positioning the party for electoral success.
He said ward-by-ward mobilisation, youth engagement, and community outreach were central to the party’s strategy ahead of 2027.
Kalu noted that the APC in Abia is undergoing a quiet but determined rebuilding process, aimed at restoring public confidence and presenting the party as a credible alternative capable of delivering good governance.
He expressed confidence that with sustained grassroots engagement, the party would secure overwhelming support for President Tinubu in the state.
Reiterating his stance on the governorship race, Benjamin Kalu maintained that he has not declared interest in the Abia governorship contest.
He said he remains focused on legislative responsibilities, party unity, and consultations with national APC leadership, including listening closely for guidance on the appropriate time to take any political step.
He added that Nigerian politics must move beyond personality-driven ambition to issue-based leadership, warning that premature declarations often distract from governance and party building.
As discussions about the Abia governorship 2027 continue to dominate political conversations in the state, Benjamin Kalu urged supporters to remain patient and committed to the broader objectives of the APC.
He concluded by assuring party members that any decision he eventually makes would be transparent, consultative, and in the best interest of Abia State and Nigeria as a whole.
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