Orji Kalu Withdraws Support For Abia Governor Otti, Vows To Work For APC

The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has announced that he will no longer support Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that he will now concentrate on strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.

Kalu made this known on Thursday at his country home in Igbere, where he claimed that he played a significant role in Otti’s victory in the 2023 governorship election but would not repeat such support in the next election cycle.

The former Abia State governor said his decision was triggered by a statement issued by Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ocha, which criticised him for openly declaring support for President Bola Tinubu and his intention to deliver Abia State for the APC in 2027.

According to Kalu, he had maintained a cordial relationship with Otti and refrained from criticising his administration until the statement was released.

“I consider the governor as my friend, and for two years, I have never criticised him. But they fired the first salvo, and I replied. We worked for him to win in 2023, and we are not going to do that again,” he said.

Kalu also dismissed claims that Otti has recorded outstanding performance in office, arguing that most of the projects attributed to the current administration were rehabilitation works on roads constructed during his tenure as governor.

He further compared resources available to both administrations, claiming that Otti received more funds within a few months than he did throughout his eight years in office.

The Senator added that while he had facilitated several rural road projects as a lawmaker, he was yet to see similar interventions by the Otti administration in rural and farming communities in the State.