Abia Stakeholders Buy APC Nomination Forms for Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Urge 2027 Governorship Run
A delegation of political stakeholders from Abia State on Saturday purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and formally presented them to him, urging him to contest the 2027 governorship election in Abia State.
The group presented the forms to Kalu in Abuja, citing his impressive record in public service and national leadership as the basis for their decision.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria James Uko-Kalu described the Deputy Speaker as a unifying figure whose contributions in the National Assembly have distinguished him as a capable leader.
“We are here because we recognise the invaluable contributions the Deputy Speaker has made to Nigeria’s legislative process, resulting in tangible developments. From 2019 till date, we have followed his work closely and can attest to his outstanding performance,” Uko-Kalu said.
He added that Kalu’s leadership style has inspired a new generation of politicians. “I personally toured several communities across our constituency and witnessed first-hand the projects executed under his leadership. Professionals and stakeholders alike are convinced that this is the right time for him to replicate that same spirit of statesmanship at the state level.”
Retired Major General Jack Nwaogbu, from Abia Central, commended Kalu for his efforts in rebuilding cohesion within the APC in Abia and across the South-East region. He noted that the party, which faced internal divisions during the 2023 general elections, has shown signs of recovery in recent months.
“In the past seven months, there has been a remarkable rejuvenation of the party, largely due to the efforts of the Deputy Speaker and other well-meaning leaders who returned the party to its grassroots base,” Nwaogbu said.
Uzo Azubuike, representing Abia South Senatorial District, described the delegation as “messengers of the people,” conveying a broad-based appeal for Kalu to join the race. He urged the Deputy Speaker to prioritise the governorship ambition, saying his leadership could accelerate development in the state.
In his response, Kalu thanked the group for the confidence reposed in him and said he would consult widely before making a decision.
“You believe that if I come on board, it is because I share in the vision of the Eight-Point Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and his commitment to true federalism, which empowers sub-national entities to drive meaningful development,” Kalu said.
He added: “The purchase of this form is clearly a call for me to step forward. I have received it with gratitude, and within the next one or two days, after due consultations, I will make my position known.”
Kalu emphasised the need for unity within the APC in Abia, stating that the party’s prospects in the state would depend on the determination, unity, and commitment of its members. He noted that the narrative of Abia must change through collective effort.
Kalu, a ranking member of the House since 2019 and currently Deputy Speaker, has steadily grown his influence within the APC and the broader South-East political space. Though he is yet to publicly declare his intention to run for governor, Saturday’s move represents the strongest indication so far of an organised effort by stakeholders to draft him into the 2027 race.
Comments
Post a Comment