A coalition of political stakeholders purchased All Progressives Congress expression of interest and nomination forms for Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu on Saturday, encouraging him to contest the 2027 Abia State governorship election. The group formally handed the forms to Kalu in Abuja, citing his legislative record and leadership as key reasons for their support. Speaking for the delegation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria James Uko-Kalu praised Kalu's contributions to the National Assembly since 2019, saying they have led to tangible developments. He claimed to have personally observed projects executed under Kalu's leadership across their constituency.
Retired Major General Jack Nwaogbu credited Kalu with helping rebuild APC cohesion in Abia and the South-East, noting a revival in the party over the past seven months. He attributed this to Kalu and other leaders re-engaging the party's grassroots base after internal divisions during the 2023 elections. Uzo Azubuike, representing Abia South Senatorial District, described the delegation as "messengers of the people" delivering a broad-based appeal for Kalu to pursue the governorship. He urged Kalu to prioritise the ambition, saying it offers a path to accelerated development in Abia.
Kalu acknowledged the gesture, stating it reflected belief in his alignment with President Bola Tinubu's Eight-Point Renewed Hope Agenda and true federalism. He said the form purchase was a call to step forward, expressing gratitude and promising to consult before announcing his decision within one or two days. Kalu has not declared his intention to run, but the event marks the most organised effort yet to draft him into the race. He has been a ranking member of the House since 2019 and currently serves as Deputy Speaker.
Benjamin Kalu says he will consult before deciding on a governorship run, yet the APC forms were already bought in his name as if the decision is settled. He claims the move reflects public belief in President Tinubu's agenda, but the orchestrated push comes from a select group, not a verifiable groundswell. If the APC's revival in Abia hinges on such top-down maneuvers, the promise of grassroots renewal rings hollow. Kalu's talk of collective effort clashes with a process that appears decided before consultations begin.
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