Former Abia State governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that he will oppose the re-election bid of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in the 2027 governorship election.
Kalu made this known during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television, where he spoke on political alignments and his expectations for the next election cycle.
The senator said his decision is based strictly on party loyalty, stressing that political affiliation must take precedence over personal relationships.
Party First, Friendship Intact
Despite his position, Kalu was quick to point out that his relationship with Otti remains cordial. He noted that political competition should not destroy personal bonds between leaders.
According to him, both men belong to different political parties and are expected to work for their respective platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I always believe if he wants to be in his party, be in your party and vote for your party. I’m a member of APC. I will work for APC. He should work for Labour Party. We should not lose friendship,” Kalu said.
Kalu is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Governor Otti was elected under the Labour Party (LP), a party that gained significant national attention during the 2023 general elections.
Clear Position Ahead of 2027
While acknowledging the governor’s right to govern without unnecessary interference, Kalu made it clear that he would actively support any candidate presented by his party in the next governorship election.
“I will oppose it because my party will be fielding a candidate. That’s it. It is about the interest of the party,” he said.
His comments are among the early political signals ahead of the 2027 elections, which are already beginning to shape alliances and rivalries across states.
Background: Political Landscape in Abia
Abia State witnessed a major political shift in 2023 when Otti, running on the platform of the Labour Party, defeated candidates from both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His victory was widely seen as part of a broader wave of support for alternative political platforms across Nigeria.
Before Otti’s emergence, the state had been largely dominated by the PDP since 1999, with Kalu himself serving as governor from 1999 to 2007 under the party.
Kalu later defected to the APC, where he has remained an influential figure, particularly in Abia North and across the South-East.
Balancing Politics and Stability
In his remarks, Kalu emphasised the need to maintain peace and political stability in Abia State, even as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of 2027.
He said healthy competition among parties should not lead to conflict or division among political actors or the public.
Observers say Kalu’s statement reflects a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where politicians often maintain personal relationships across party lines while competing politically.
Mixed Reactions Trail Comment
Kalu’s declaration has sparked reactions among political observers and party supporters in Abia State.
Some view his stance as a normal expression of party loyalty, noting that politicians are expected to support their party’s candidates during elections.
Others, however, believe the comment signals the beginning of what could become a keenly contested governorship race in 2027.
Analysts also point out that the APC will likely work to regain political ground in Abia, while the Labour Party will aim to consolidate its gains following Otti’s victory in 2023.
Looking Ahead
With more than a year before the next general election cycle formally begins, political activities are gradually intensifying across the country.
In Abia, the expected contest between major political parties could shape the state’s political direction and influence broader alignments in the South-East.
For now, Kalu’s position underscores the enduring role of party structures in Nigeria’s democracy, even as personal relationships continue to cut across political divides.
As preparations for 2027 gather pace, all eyes will be on how parties organise, mobilise support and present candidates capable of winning the confidence of voters in Abia State.
