By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

Some stakeholders in Abia on Saturday purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms for the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

Presenting the forms in Abuja, the leader of the group, Mr James Igwe, said that they had seen the milestones achieved by the deputy speaker at the national level.

Igwe, who represented Abia North Senatorial District, said that there was no better time than now for Kalu to become governor of the state.

“We are here because we recognise the invaluable contributions the deputy speaker has made in the legislative process of Nigeria, leading to several developments.

“We remembered very well since June 2019 that you were elected as our representative, and we have looked through the entire processes, and then we have seen several milestones as a spokesperson of the National Assembly, your contributions were very outstanding.

“Now as the deputy speaker, one that we are proud of, you have been a statesman. You have been the fine trade that has been galvanising all the efforts in Abia.

“I personally witnessed the commissioning of several projects in our constituency. I went from village to village last year.

“I drove around inspecting these projects and professionals think that there is no better time than now for you to bring to the state level, that spirit of statemanship, that efforts to unite, that effort at building consensus and peace in the south east.

“The indelible marks that you have made at the national level, we want those marks to be made in Abia; there is no better time than now.

“As professionals, we felt that we are in a position to obtain the nomination form for the gubernatorial election for our party in Abia,”.

Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Jack Okechukwu Rtd said that Kalu had succeeded in uniting all the various APC political blocks in the state and indeed the entire South East geo-political zone.

According to Okechukwu, who represented Abia Central Senatorial District, the once scattered party that led to splitting of votes in the 2023 general elections is now one united and solid party.

“In the past seven months, there has been rejuvenation of the party as a result of the party being given back to those who own it, the masses, and that was made possible by the deputy speaker and other good hearted party leaders in Abia,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Uzor Azubike, who represented the Abia South Senatorial District, said that the delegation came as messengers of the people of Abia.

He said that the best thing Kalu could do for the state was to abandon every other ambition and take over the leadership of the state.

“On behalf of the people of Abia South Senatorial District, where I was a member of the House of Assembly and a former Deputy Speaker; I was a member of the House of Representatives for Aba South, and I have the mandate of the people of that zone.

“I join another audience, to call on you, sir, to listen to the request we made on April 12 and respond to it immediately by taking steps to fill the forms, we already have the forms here,” he said.

Responding, Kalu thanked the stakeholders for the gesture and promised to give a final response in the coming days.

He commended the group for not taking to violence to force a change in the state saying that the choice of dialogue showed that they were true democrats.

Kalu urged all stakeholders to galvanise support for President Tinubu across the entire South East in the 2027 elections.

He pledged his support for all APC aspirants saying that the party was going to take over the state and all elective offices so as to further unite with the government at the centre.

“You believe that if I come on board, because I am a believer in this Eight Point Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, because I am a believer in his spirit of true federalism, which empowers the sub nationals to be able to make impact, I will make a difference.

“I am sure that I will be giving you an answer, yes; the form has been given which means people are asking me to step up, but we will keep it and in the next one or two days, come out with what we have finalised.

“I want to thank you for bringing this form so that at the end of the day, the story must change in Abia, and we will work with the party to make sure that it becomes a reality, ” he said. (NAN)

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