2027: What Is All This Talk About APC Taking Abia To Tinubu – Lawmaker Slams Ben Kalu

The Labour Party Member representing Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha, has berated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Rep, Ben Kalu over his claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take over Abia in 2027.

Agoucha challenged Kalu to openly make his governorship ambition known.

He said Kalu disrespected and denigrated the office of the incumbent Governor with his open vituperation.

Naija News reports that there have being rumours that the deputy speaker is planning to contest the seat, leveraging on the APC’s control of the federal government

Speaking via a statement on Monday, Agoucha insisted that Kalu lacks the audacity to declare the seat of the Governor of the state vacant in 2027.

The statement reads in part, “My first inclination was that of shock, maybe that the video was an Artificial Intelligence [AI] generated skit. Alas, it was real. My dear colleague, your open vituperation and remarks against our Governor, Labour Party, and Abia State was very condescending, denigrating, and disrespectful in every sense of the word.

“My brother, we are distinguished colleagues with you representing the good people of Bende Federal Constituency. Whilst we elected you to be our Deputy Speaker, it does not confer on you an audacity to declare vacant the seat of the governor of Abia State in 2027.

“I have known you to exude boldness, which is often misconstrued as excessive arrogance but not this type of pugnacious instability.

“Lest that we are confused, especially in this season of significant economic hardship and high citizen expectations from those of us in government.

“Would it not have been advisable that we are seen focused on our legislative duties, our constituents, Abia State, and the Southeast at large.

“Sir, you must now use that all-important position as Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives to de-marginalize and reduce the agitation of our people and promote inclusiveness.

“My beloved brother, with due respect, your comments lacked introspection and reeks in recklessness, discernment, lack of humility, lack of rationality, and totally very unreasonable.

“If your ambition is to become the governor of Abia State by 2027, it is your right, but make it plain rather than hiding yourself in the shadows of discontent and display of insincerity and intemperate political culture.

“But I assure you that as you want Abians to repay Tinubu for his good works, so shall Abians repay Alex Otti for his mammoth achievements come 2027.

“Alex Otti will be reelected governor of Abia State.

“In your recent visits and encounters with His Excellency, ‘De Alley’ as you fondly call him, you had seized every opportunity to debunk many tales of your ambition for the governorship stool of Abia state come 2027 and each time pledging loyalty and support to the demonstrable and visible achievements of governor Alex Otti.

“My Honourable colleague, you should be made to know that there’s no vacancy in Abia State in 2027. As you are aware, for almost 24 years, this is the first time Abia has awakened to great leadership and governance strides.

“President Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti had known each other, spanning their various careers for at least 20 years of their personal relationships.

“You have just arrived on the national stage in the last one year. So what is all this talk about “APC must take Abia to Tinubu?

“Lastly, my dear brother, please be reminded that the Labour Party under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti took Abia State by a landslide in an election in which APC scored less than 4% of total state-wide votes to come a distant 4th position while Labour Party secured at least 65% of the lawful votes rendered.

“Dr. Alex Otti has since coming into the fray shown overwhelming capacity in transforming the state and changing our once negative narrative.

“To dream of taking Abia under the Labour Party government to APC will take much more than mere grandstanding.”