Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed Governor Alex Otti’s threats to block his return to the Senate in 2027, declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record a sweeping victory in Abia State at the next general elections.
Kalu spoke on Thursday at his country home in Igbere while addressing journalists after distributing food items to constituents and party members across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Governor Otti had reportedly vowed to prevent the former governor from returning to the National Assembly in 2027, a statement that drew a sharp response from the APC chieftain.
Challenging the governor and his party to an electoral contest, Kalu said he had refrained from criticising the state government since Otti assumed office, stressing that his decision to mobilise for the APC should not attract hostility.
“I have not for once attacked the state government. I consider the governor my friend and for two years I have never criticised him,” Kalu said.
He added that political engagement was normal in a democracy, insisting that his declaration to work for APC’s victory should not be misconstrued as an attack on the governor.
“In 2023, we worked for him to win. We are not going to do that again. We will work for our party to win. What is wrong with that?” he asked.
Assessing the performance of the Otti administration, Kalu claimed the governor had not embarked on any major new road projects, alleging that most of the ongoing works were rehabilitations of roads constructed during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.
“The money I had in eight years is what Alex Otti receives in four months,” he said. “He is repainting and rebuilding roads I built as governor. I have not seen any major new road.”
The senator contrasted his achievements in office with those of the current administration, stating that under his watch, education and healthcare were free in Abia State.
He further defended his record in the Senate, saying his performance ranked among the best in the country.
“Not up to 20 senators out of 109 have done what I have done in six years,” Kalu said, adding that Abia North and the entire state would be short-changed if he was not returned to the Senate.
On allegations that APC in Abia was divided, Kalu dismissed such claims, saying the party was united and focused on winning elections in 2027.
“This is two years to the election, and we are very prepared. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win Abia State. We will win the three senatorial seats,” he declared.
Kalu also ruled out electoral malpractice, insisting that he had never rigged an election and would not support such actions.
“We want the will of the people to prevail,” he said.
Addressing speculation about Governor Otti possibly defecting to the APC, Kalu said the party was open to all but insisted that political outcomes would depend on the will of party members.
On national issues, the former governor expressed support for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, suggesting a new state carved from parts of Imo, Anambra, and Delta states, with Oguta as capital.
Kalu concluded by assuring Abians that he was fully back in active politics, vowing to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The OUK that Abians know is back on the field,” he said. “When I am on the field, the masses will rejoice.”
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