A former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike, has refuted claims that a group from Ukwa Ngwa is urging the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, to contest the 2027 Abia governorship election.
Rt. Hon Azubuike, an Ukwa Ngwa son and former representative of Aba North and South Federal Constituency, while speaking to journalists, Tuesday , in Aba, described the claims circulating in various media platforms as inaccurate and misleading.
He clarified that the recent visit to Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu was solely to express appreciation for his role in facilitating the appointments of several Ukwa Ngwa sons into strategic national positions.
Rt. Hon Azubuike emphasized that at no point during the meeting was the issue of 2027 governorship discussed, nor did anyone urge the Deputy Speaker to contest.
“For the records, our visit to the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu was purely to thank him for facilitating the appointment of Ukwa Ngwa people in positions and with particular reference to the following.
Nwadiala Emeka Wogu as SEDC Chairman, South East Development Commission ( SEDC), Rt Hon. Martins Azubuike as FCT Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission, Eruba Dimgba as NDDC Commissioner, Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) and Hon. Chris Nkwonta as House of Representatives Committee Chairman, South East Development Commission ( SEDC).
”We extolled the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Ben Kalu for his excellent representation and his good leadership qualities at the National Assembly.
”There was nowhere in our discussion with the Deputy Speaker that the issue of his running for 2027 Governorship came up and we never talked about it”.
He further revealed that in earlier meetings, Rt. Hon. Kalu had urged the Southeast to rally behind President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, emphasizing the importance of Igbo political alignment at the national level.
Rt. Hon Azubike said that in response, they had assured the Deputy Speaker that the Ngwa Nation is grateful for the federal appointments extended to their sons and that Ukwa/Ngwa people in the APC are actively mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
He reiterated that no conversation took place regarding Ben Kalu’s potential candidacy for Abia Governorship in 2027, nor did the Deputy Speaker express such intention.
“There was no call or reference by me to the Abia governorship of 2027 and at no time was the issue of Rt Hon.Ben Kalu running for Governor mentioned on the course of our discussion, neither did Rt Hon Ben declare any interest to run for Abia Governorship in 2027.
”My position is that 2027 is still very far and in the hands of God, not man”, he said.
