ABUJA – In a significant shift for the 2027 political landscape, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has reportedly abandoned his widely speculated governorship ambition in Abia State.
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, signaled his intentions on Sunday by appearing before the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee to seek re-election for his current seat in the National Assembly.
The Pivot to Bende
The move comes after months of high-decibel political maneuvering where Kalu was frequently touted as the APC’s primary challenger to the incumbent Governor Alex Otti. Despite previously asserting that the APC would “take over” Abia in 2027, Kalu’s decision to undergo screening for the House of Representatives suggests a strategic retreat to his legislative stronghold.
The move comes after months of high-decibel political maneuvering where Kalu was frequently touted as the APC’s primary challenger to the incumbent Governor Alex Otti. Despite previously asserting that the APC would “take over” Abia in 2027, Kalu’s decision to undergo screening for the House of Representatives suggests a strategic retreat to his legislative stronghold.
A Tactical Withdrawal?
Political analysts believe Kalu’s decision may be influenced by the need to maintain his high-ranking national position. As the number six citizen in Nigeria’s protocol hierarchy, a failed governorship bid would leave him without a seat at the federal table. By returning to the House, he secures his influence within the National Assembly and the APC leadership.
Political analysts believe Kalu’s decision may be influenced by the need to maintain his high-ranking national position. As the number six citizen in Nigeria’s protocol hierarchy, a failed governorship bid would leave him without a seat at the federal table. By returning to the House, he secures his influence within the National Assembly and the APC leadership.
Throughout the period of speculation, Kalu’s media team had carefully avoided a formal declaration for the governorship, consistently maintaining that the Deputy Speaker was focused on his “Peace in South East Project” (PISE-P) and legislative duties.
Reactions in Abia
The development has sent ripples through the Abia State APC, where many stakeholders had already begun aligning behind him. Conversely, the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state has remained unfazed. Sources close to Governor Alex Otti’s administration noted that the governor remains focused on his “rebuilding agenda,” regardless of who the opposition fields.
The development has sent ripples through the Abia State APC, where many stakeholders had already begun aligning behind him. Conversely, the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state has remained unfazed. Sources close to Governor Alex Otti’s administration noted that the governor remains focused on his “rebuilding agenda,” regardless of who the opposition fields.
With Kalu now formally back in the race for Bende Federal Constituency, the search for a formidable APC governorship candidate in Abia State is expected to begin anew.
