Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has challenged the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to publicly declare his intention if he plans to run for the governorship of Abia State in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists at his country home in Igbere on Tuesday, the former Abia Governor stated that while he shares a cordial relationship with the Deputy Speaker, he insists on clarity of intent ahead of the political season.
“I am always with him in Abuja, whenever he has time, he comes to see me. I have no problems with him. It’s just—let him say what he wants,” Kalu said.
He disclosed that he had asked his younger brother to withdraw from the governorship race to avoid any internal conflict, should Benjamin Kalu choose to contest.
“I have asked my younger brother to back off. Himself and Ben Kalu cannot run together. So if [Benjamin Kalu] wants to run, let him come out and declare he wants to run for governor so we prepare to win the governorship. If he is not running, let him go back and run for his House of Representatives seat. But he cannot be a holder and a beholder—that is where I stand,” the senator declared.
Senator Kalu affirmed that he would offer full backing to Benjamin Kalu should he formally enter the race, signaling a potential alignment of key political forces within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.
Reiterating his loyalty to the APC, Orji Kalu also expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of 2027, saying, “I’m ready to pull the trigger for the APC. If we work hard, we can win.”
The comment marks a significant moment in Abia’s political landscape, as speculations continue to swirl over who will emerge as the APC’s flagbearer in the next gubernatorial election.
