Amanze Chinonye
Former Abia State Governors, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Theodore Orji, have formally commenced consultations aimed at reclaiming political power from Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Prime Business Africa reports.
The two former governors met on Friday in Umuahia with several past political officeholders in the state, as part of an emerging alliance seeking to challenge the Labour Party-led administration currently in power.
Speaking during the meeting, Kalu said the gathering was convened to bring together political actors who served in Abia State between 2009 and 2023 in order to forge a common political front. He proposed that the group be expanded to accommodate all former political officeholders who held positions within the period.
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Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, said the coalition described as “The Team” played a significant role in the development of the state during their respective years in office and should not be dismissed as irrelevant.
“Leadership is a relay race. I finished and handed over to Senator T. A. Orji, and he finished and handed over to Okezie Ikpeazu. So one person cannot come and say we did nothing and that we are not relevant,” Kalu said.
“If we did nothing, where would our people be living now? Our meeting is not to discuss what cannot be said outside. Our main purpose is that one person must go down in 2027,” he added, in a statement widely interpreted as a direct reference to Governor Otti.
Kalu urged members of the group to remain resolute and committed to the political task ahead, noting that the platform was bipartisan and open to allies across party lines.
The meeting and its rhetoric mark an escalation in political positioning against Governor Otti, who was elected in 2023 after defeating candidates backed by long-standing political structures in the state. Since assuming office, Otti has embarked on road reconstruction projects, urban renewal programmes, salary and pension clearance, and transport reforms, earning him notable public support, particularly in Aba and Umuahia.
However, Kalu’s renewed political offensive contrasts sharply with his earlier public praise of Otti during a Christmas visit to the Government House, where he acknowledged that the governor had made tangible investments in Abia North after years of neglect.
With nearly two years to the next governorship election, the open mobilisation of former governors and political elites signals the beginning of what is expected to be a high-stakes contest between an incumbent administration relying on performance and an opposition bloc determined to stage a political comeback in Abia State.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
