Ahead of the 2027 general election, a political pressure group in Abia State has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not need the support of Governor Alex Otti to win the state for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It noted that with the quantum of work already done by APC bigwigs in the state, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Abia is set to fall for Tinubu.
It, however, endorsed a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Philips Nto, to contest the Abia North Senate seat in 2027.
The group, Old Bende Political Forum, said it amounts to deceit and political 419 for Alex Otti to purport to be working for Tinubu’s reelection when he is not in the APC.
In a statement signed by the group’s Chairman, Mazi John Okafor, it described as misleading the impression being created by Alex Otti that he is campaigning for Tinubu, whereas the job is being done by Ben Kalu and other APC stalwarts.
“We don’t want the governor to claim credit for what Ben Kalu and his colleagues are doing currently in Abia. The Deputy Speaker is the one driving the reelection campaign of Mr. President. Abia APC is therefore solidly behind him,” the group insisted.
The group described Ben Kalu as a leader with the Midas touch who has worked tirelessly for the APC across the state in general and Old Bende in particular.
It commended him for attracting the post of APC South East Youth Leader to Abia and for nominating a grounded youth leader, Barr. Chimamkpam Ogbonnaya, for the position.
On the Abia North Senate seat, the forum expressed its support for the former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Philips Nto, for the position, saying he possesses the pedigree to drive the much-needed change for accelerated transformational development of the area, both in legislation and constituency projects.
The forum regretted that the Abia North Senate seat has not attracted the quality leadership needed to offer constructive representation to the populace.
It noted that, given the academic and leadership trajectory of Dr. Philips Nto, he would command the respect of senators from all parts of Nigeria and be fit for national assignments.
The forum assured the former Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, of the support of its teeming members to ensure that he becomes the next senator representing Abia North Senatorial Zone.
