Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said his current priority is delivering good governance and quality representation, not contesting the 2027 Abia governorship election.
Speaking with journalists at his country home in Bende, Abia State, Kalu explained that any future political ambition would be determined by his constituents and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the appropriate time.
“It is not yet time for declaration. This is the time for governance. I am here engaging my people, understanding their concerns and finding solutions,” he said, stressing that the APC believes in party supremacy and collective decision-making.
Kalu noted that his present responsibility goes beyond Bende Federal Constituency, saying that as Deputy Speaker, he represents Abia State, the South East, and Nigeria at large.
On why he previously urged Governor Alex Otti to defect to the APC despite speculations about his own governorship ambition, Kalu said his intention was to integrate Abia into mainstream national politics for greater benefits.
Continuing, Kalu said, “I asked him to join because it would open more doors for Abia and the South East. It was never selfish. In fact, I was ready to support him if he had joined,” Kadding that he has since stopped persuading the governor after noticing his lack of interest.
He described Otti as a personal friend and dismissed claims that he was blocking the governor’s entry into the APC. “If he comes today, he takes over and we all support him. That is the culture of our party,” he said.
Achievements in Bende Constituency
Highlighting his record, Kalu said no former representative of Bende Federal Constituency matched his achievements.
He listed over 20 completed roads with more than 15 ongoing, 32 completed schools, over 20 under construction, as well as civic centres, ICT centres, solar mini-grids, and electricity projects.
Kalu disclosed that Bende community has now been connected to the national grid through the Aloji power station, with plans to extend electricity to neighbouring communities.
He further said he had attracted several federal interventions to address erosion challenges in the constituency, describing Bende as a very large local government that may soon be split into three for administrative efficiency.
Can you share your views in the comments section on the “greater benefits” to the people of a state if their governor belongs to the ruling party, and why that is a requirement for benefits in a constitutional federation?
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