Ekoli-Edda, Ebonyi State – January 2, 2026
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the party captures Abia State in the 2027 general elections, pledging to deploy all available political resources to dislodge the ruling Labour Party (LP).
The former Abia State governor made the declaration during his traditional annual New Year visit to Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the Ebonyi State APC Chairman, at his residence in Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on January 1, 2026.
Kalu, a prominent APC chieftain in the South-East, emphasized his full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid and the party's yet-to-be-named gubernatorial candidate in Abia. "I will support President Bola Tinubu and the APC gubernatorial candidate in the elections. I will put my heart on the field to ensure that the APC wins landslide in Abia at the election," he stated.
Acknowledging his personal friendship with the incumbent Abia Governor, Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party, Kalu drew a clear line between personal relations and political ambitions. "The incumbent Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is my friend, but I am not discussing friendship in politics, only the total victory of the APC in the elections," he added.
The senator's remarks signal an early ramp-up in APC's efforts to expand its influence in the South-East geopolitical zone, a region historically dominated by other parties. Abia State, currently governed by the LP since Otti's victory in 2023, represents a key battleground for the ruling APC as it seeks to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kalu also used the occasion to address national security concerns, urging governors nationwide to take greater ownership of security in their domains rather than relying solely on the federal government and President Tinubu. Reflecting on his tenure as Abia governor from 1999 to 2007, he claimed: "When I was Abia governor, I ensured total security of lives and property. There were no cases of kidnapping or other serious crimes in Abia at a time when other states were battling severe insecurity."
He specifically praised Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for maintaining peace and stability, calling on other state leaders to emulate his approach. "The governors should emulate Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, who has ensured adequate peace and security in the state," Kalu said.
The visit to Okoro-Emegha highlighted a deep-rooted personal and political bond. Kalu described the Ebonyi APC chairman as "an embodiment of loyalty and someone you can trust with your life." He recounted mentoring Okoro-Emegha from a young age, even during his father's lifetime, and noted his contributions to successes during his governorship.
Kalu further recalled introducing Okoro-Emegha to former Ebonyi Governor David Umahi (now a senator and Minister of Works), advising him to extend absolute loyalty to his principal—a virtue he said has continued under Governor Nwifuru. "I told him to give his principal 100 per cent loyalty, and he has carried that same virtue forward to the current governor," Kalu remarked.
The annual New Year tradition underscores Kalu's enduring influence across state lines in the South-East, where the APC currently holds governorships in Ebonyi and Imo, but struggles in Abia, Anambra, and Enugu. Analysts view Kalu's bold pronouncement as part of broader APC strategies to penetrate opposition strongholds through grassroots mobilization and leveraging federal incumbency advantages.
Kalu's political journey has seen him remain a steadfast APC member since defecting from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) ahead of the 2019 elections, often positioning himself as a bridge between the South-East and the federal government. His latest pledge aligns with earlier statements expressing optimism about APC's prospects in the region, citing ongoing federal infrastructure projects as evidence of President Tinubu's commitment.
As Nigeria enters another election cycle, Kalu's declaration intensifies speculation about potential APC candidates for the Abia governorship and heightens political temperatures in the state. Governor Otti, riding on his administration's infrastructure drive and anti-corruption stance, is expected to seek re-election on the LP platform, setting the stage for a fiercely contested race.
The senator's comments also come amid national discussions on security, economic reforms, and zoning arrangements, with Kalu consistently advocating patience with Tinubu's policies while pushing for greater regional inclusion.
With over a year to the primaries, Kalu's vow injects early momentum into APC's South-East campaign machinery, potentially galvanizing party faithful while alerting opposition forces to prepare for robust challenges in 2027.
