..volunteers nomination forms for them
Following the public declaration of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, to contest the governorship of Abia State, a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Philips Nto, has been urged to follow suit and declare for the Abia North Senatorial seat immediately.
Reacting to Kalu’s intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a political pressure group in the state, Old Bende Political Forum, said it welcomed the political development and urged Dr. Philips Nto to also join the senatorial race to complement the ticket.
It said that as part of broader steps to encourage the best representation in all aspects of governance, members have decided to purchase nomination forms for the two prospective aspirants.
In a statement by the group’s Chairman, Mazi John Okafor, it described Ben Kalu and Dr. Philips Nto as the best candidates for the two top posts, especially as they relate to the interests of the Abia people and the Abia North Senatorial Zone.
According to the group, the people of Abia are looking for a change of leadership at the two top levels to usher in a new lease of life.
“As we prepare for Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu to assume his rightful position as the governor of Abia State, we need quality people at the Senate like Philips Nto to complement his efforts.”
It argued that the election of the two Abia candidates will strengthen the zoning formula in the state, since the governorship should rotate to Abia North, whereas the Senate seat should leave Bende Federal Constituency for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.
It noted that the political crisis that led to the PDP losing the 2023 election was due to the party’s disregard for the zoning system and the impunity of its leadership.
The Old Bende Political Forum insisted that for political realignment and good governance, the people of Abia State need to elect Ben Kalu as governor and Dr. Philips Nto as the senator representing Abia North.
The group announced the mobilisation of Abia people towards voting for the APC in 2027 so that the state will align with the centre.
“We have all seen what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing for Abia State. We need to align with the centre to benefit more, and now that we have our first eleven in Ben Kalu and Philips Nto, we are closer to the realisation of our vision for the state,” the group stated.
