Sen. Orji Kalu’s Younger Brother Declares For 2027 Abia Guber Race

The 2023 Governorship candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) and younger brother of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; Mascot Uzor Kalu has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 governorship position in Abia State.

Kalu, speaking in Umuahia, the state capital on Saturday, during a meeting with various support groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said that his decision to contest for the seat of governorship in the state was personal and his love to serve the masses.

The APP 2023 governorship candidate who promised to run open, transparent and inclusive government of elected governor come 2027, said his reason was that Abia deserves better leadership than what they have at the moment.

According to him, “I was one of the frontline candidates in the 2023 Governor’s election. As a Democrat, I did not hesitate to congratulate the incumbent, Governor Alex Otti, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner.

“Although irregularities marred the elections, the outcome represented the change the people had been asking for. For that reason, I did not challenge the election outcome in court.

“I have given the administration room to govern without criticism for over two years. I acknowledge that some progress has been made under the administration. However, the progress remains far from the lofty campaign promises made to Abians during the 2023 electioneering period.

“Abia and Abians deserve more, especially those at the grassroots, including civil servants, pensioners, and traders, and a government built on transparency, accountability, and inclusive progress—a government that serves all and leaves no one behind.

“On behalf of myself, wife and family, I stand before all of you to express my interest for the Abia state governorship ticket under our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2027 elections.

“My mission is to unify Abians and build a prosperous, inclusive state where opportunities abound for everyone, regardless of political affiliation or social standing.

“Together, we shall leverage Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope policies to spread the dividends of good governance to the grassroots, empowering and uplifting our people through the macro and microeconomic systems.

“Our journey is not about politics as usual; it is a call to serve and restore empathy to leadership. It’s a call to relate with the Poor and the rich; cultivate a leadership that feels the pulse of the people, listens, acts, and provides for every Abian, regardless of their political affiliation or standing, with a reason to once again believe in the promises made will be promises kept.

“A Government that will open its bank account with multiple financial institutions, trust and stand by its civil servants, keep its word to our pensioners, create multiple viable programs to support and grow our youths, and show transparency in the process of awarding of contracts.

“We will have a local government that is independent and we will publish each local government allocation and ensure each local government receives all funds allocated to them.

“In 2023, Nigeria’s national unemployment rate was above 32 percent, with Abia at a rate of over 62 percent. One would think the state would focus on a massive economic program for jobs creation.

“Today, I open the doors of this movement and invite all progressive-minded Abians, committed party members, individuals from other political parties, and Abia indigenes and non-indigenes to join me.

“Together, we will reposition Abia under the proud banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and chart a new course for a greater, stronger, and more prosperous Abia.

Let us build an Abia that works for all of us, not just some of us.

“We shall be known for Infrastructure development, continue and improve the existing capital projects and development the none existing human capacity development.”