Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a senior political figure and lawmaker representing Abia North, has publicly criticised the performance of Governor Alex Otti in Abia State, asserting that funds received from the federal government should have produced development on a scale comparable to international cities. In a forceful intervention into the 2027 governorship contest, Kalu also declared his intention to actively support his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, and pledged to mobilise for a full sweep of the APC’s legislative ambitions in the state.
Addressing supporters and party stakeholders, Kalu lambasted the current administration in Umuahia, arguing that it has fallen short of delivering tangible progress despite substantial allocations from the centre. Though the federal government routinely releases funds to states for infrastructural and social programmes, Kalu said Abia should by now “look like London” given the volume of resources it has received — a remark meant to underscore perceived gaps between expected and realised development.
In his criticism, the senator accused the Otti administration of corruption and embezzlement on a scale worse than previous governments, signalling deep dissatisfaction within factions of the state’s political establishment over governance outcomes. He positioned this critique at the centre of his appeal to party faithful, framing the 2027 election as a pivotal moment for Abia’s future trajectory.
Kalu’s remarks come amid an intensifying political contest in Abia State, where the APC — the party of President Bola Tinubu — is seeking to unseat the incumbent Labour Party‑led administration in the next electoral cycle. Governor Otti, elected in 2023 under the Labour Party, has defended his record and dismissed what he has described as incendiary rhetoric, arguing that his administration has made meaningful progress and that critics risk misreading public sentiment and electoral readiness.
In laying out his own political strategy, Kalu made no secret of his support for Mascot Uzor Kalu as the APC flag‑bearer for the Abia governorship. Mascot, a former chief of staff to his brother during an earlier political era, formally declared his intention to run for the state’s highest office under the APC banner late in 2025, emphasising themes of transparency, grassroots empowerment and economic revitalisation. His campaign has criticised the incumbent government’s delivery on earlier pledges and called for renewed focus on job creation, local government autonomy, and public sector accountability.
Orji Uzor Kalu’s involvement reflects a broader push by APC stalwarts to consolidate support and build momentum ahead of forthcoming elections, including not only the governorship but also the Abia State House of Assembly races, which the senator pledged to win comprehensively for his party. His advocacy underscores deepening political alignments and rivalries that are shaping the state’s landscape as 2027 approaches.
Political analysts say such high‑profile endorsements and critiques can energise party bases — but they may also sharpen divisions within states where longstanding elite networks intersect with grassroots sentiment. Abia’s electorate has, in recent cycles, demonstrated a readiness to support candidates across party lines, complicating predictions for future outcomes.
Governor Otti has responded to the unfolding political dynamics by challenging critics to demonstrate electoral credibility and pointing to his own administration’s record of what he termed “enduring transformation.” In public remarks, he noted that the political terrain has seen significant headwinds for the APC in past contests, including in areas where party insiders have previously stood as major figures.
The debate over governance performance, resource utilisation and political allegiance in Abia State is set to intensify as parties nominate candidates, refine platforms and engage with voters. As the contest evolves, observers say the interplay between federal influence, local expectations and historical party loyalties will be central to how the 2027 poll unfolds.
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