Pressure is building around the political future of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, as calls grow louder for him to openly declare his ambition for the 2027 governorship race in Abia State.
A chieftain of the Labour Party in the state, Hon. Peter Azubuike, has now publicly challenged the lawmaker to make his intentions clear.
He urged Kalu to either step forward and declare his interest in the contest or stop what he described as unnecessary political moves.
Speaking during an interview, Azubuike questioned the continued silence from the Deputy Speaker despite rising speculations about his interest in the Abia governorship seat. He said the people of the state deserve clarity, not uncertainty.
He said; “Why the delay? What exactly is holding back the Deputy Speaker from declaring for the governorship contest? Abians are waiting for him to declare his intention.
“While democracy allows everyone to pursue his political ambition, the people of Abia have already made their choice clear in Governor Alex Otti, giving him an overwhelming mandate for the
“Over 95 percent of Abians can’t wait to re-elect Governor Alex Otti. That’s the reality. All this noise about coming to Obingwa LGA to pick a running mate for the governorship poll is baseless and irrelevant.”
Azubuike did not stop there. He pointed to what he described as the strong performance of Governor Alex Otti, insisting that the current administration has already won the trust of the people through visible results.
“Otti built institutions. Let them go and study his trajectory not just in banking, but across sectors. That’s what competence looks like,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain warned that the political climate in Abia has shifted. According to him, voters are now more aware and less willing to be influenced by old political tactics.
“The people are now awake. 2027 will not be business as usual. It will be Abians versus any perceived opposition, If there is any.
“The support for Governor Otti is not driven by blind allegiance but by performance and results, his leadership as “a prayer answered” and a rare opportunity Abians are determined to protect.
“The mandate of Alex Otti is not negotiable. It is one Abians will guard jealously.”
Azubuike also raised concerns about what he described as subtle political pressure on communities like Obingwa, warning that such strategies would not succeed.
He said; “The Obingwa of yesterday is not the Obingwa of today. Nobody can come here to threaten us with promises of positions. Those days are gone.
“Obingwa has produced multiple high-ranking officeholders, including three deputy governors, a governor, and a senator for 20 years, the people are more politically conscious and resistant to manipulation.”