**2027 Elections: APC Accuses Otti's Government of Smear Campaign Against Kalu** In the build-up to the 2027 general elections, a heated controversy has erupted in Abia State. The All Progressives Congress (APC), a major opposition party, has condemned what it describes as a coordinated smear campaign against Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The APC is accusing Governor Alex Otti's government of using state resources to sponsor this smear campaign. The controversy centres around allegations of irregularities in Kalu's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and law school records. A coalition of civil society groups, led by Dominic Ogakwu, claimed that it is "statutorily impossible" for Kalu to have completed his NYSC programme and law school simultaneously. According to Ogakwu, records show that Kalu attended law school between 2010 and 2011, while his NYSC discharge certificate was issued in March 2011, overlapping with his law school programme. The APC has rejected these allegations, describing them as a desperate attempt by Otti's government to tarnish Kalu's reputation. In a statement, the APC accused the government of orchestrating a media attack against Kalu using public funds. This development is a significant twist in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, particularly in Abia State, where political temperatures are already running high. As the APC and Otti's government engage in a war of words, Nigerians are watching with keen interest to see how this controversy unfolds. The APC's condemnation of the smear campaign has sparked a fresh debate about the role of government in politics and the impact of social media on public discourse. As the country heads into another election cycle, this controversy serves as a reminder of the intense rivalry between political parties and their tactics to outmaneuver each other. Only time will tell how this controversy will play out, but one thing is certain: Abia State will be a key battleground in the 2027 elections, and the stakes are high.