The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has provided an explanation for his decision not to respond to remarks made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Kalu had boldly declared that Otti would be the last governor from the Labour Party (LP) in the state, predicting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take control of Abia State come 2027.
Governor Otti addressed the issue during a briefing with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia.
He stated that he refused to respond to Kalu’s comments because he believes that power ultimately belongs to God.
The governor emphasized that it would be “foolhardy” for him to make predictions about the future, especially regarding political outcomes.
In his response, Governor Otti made it clear that he does not subscribe to the idea of “playing God” when it comes to politics.
He stressed that power is not something that can be predicted or controlled by humans, but is determined by a higher force.
“It is foolhardy for me to be talking about what will happen tomorrow. I chose not to respond to Ben Kalu’s comment because I believe that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wills,” the governor said.
He further explained that he does not have the competence to predict what will happen in 2027, reiterating that such matters are best left in the hands of God.
Meanwhile, a senior member of the APC in Abia State, Chief Okezie Usim, has spoken out in defense of Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s remarks.
Usim, who is the acting chairman of the APC in Bende Local Government Area, criticized Labour Party (LP) supporters for attacking Kalu over his prediction that the APC would take over power in 2027.
In his statement, Usim pointed out that Kalu’s comments were no different from those made by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State. Rhodes-Vivour had also predicted that the Labour Party would unseat the APC in Lagos come 2027.
According to Usim, Rhodes-Vivour’s remarks did not draw any backlash from the APC in Lagos, and he questioned why Kalu’s similar comments about Abia should provoke such hostility.
“Only a hypocrite would praise Hon. Rhodes-Vivour for his assertion, but launch an attack on Hon. Ben Kalu for making similar predictions,” Usim said.
Usim expressed frustration over what he sees as an intolerant attitude among Labour Party supporters in Abia State.
He accused them of waging “unseen wars” against anyone who expresses a desire to challenge the Labour Party’s hold on the state government in 2027.
According to him, this behavior is anti-democratic and goes against the principles of healthy political competition.
“When Rhodes-Vivour expressed desire to defeat and take over power in Lagos State, which is APC’s strongest hold, nobody called for his head,” Usim noted.
“However, the Abia State Labour Party supporters are always at war with anyone who says he is coming for power in 2027 in Abia State.”
Usim described the attacks on Hon. Benjamin Kalu as “unwarranted,” adding that the Labour Party government in Abia has shown signs of bitterness and hostility toward political opposition.
He urged the party to accept that other political groups have the constitutional right to express their aspirations for future elections.
