Abia North 2027: Ex-deputy speaker, Ola Kalu back Orji Uzor Kalu for Senate re-election
Former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Ifeanyi Uchendu, and public commentator Ola Kalu have endorsed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid for another term in Abia North.
The duo praised his legislative experience, constituency projects, scholarships and youth empowerment initiatives, urging voters to judge candidates by their records.
Ifeanyi Uchendu and Ola Kalu praise the senator’s legislative record, constituency projects and youth empowerment initiatives ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Ifeanyi Uchendu, and public commentator Ola Kalu have thrown their support behind Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid for re-election in Abia North, citing his experience, legislative performance and constituency development projects.
The endorsements come as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of the former Abia State governor highlighting his contributions to infrastructure, education and human capital development across the senatorial district.
Uchendu made his position known after meeting Senator Kalu in London on Sunday.
Speaking to The Sun via phone chat, the former deputy speaker described Kalu as an experienced politician with a strong understanding of governance and leadership.
He urged Nigerians to assess political candidates based on their achievements, competence, character and commitment to public service, rather than political noise or personal ambition.
“Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting with His Excellency, the former Governor of Abia State, and the Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in London. It was a memorable and inspiring meeting with a man whose years of experience in public service have given him a deep understanding of governance and leadership,” Uchendu said.
He argued that Kalu’s years in public service had given him valuable insight into the challenges facing constituents and the country.
“As the 2027 election approaches, this is a time for Nigerians to look beyond noise, personal ambition, and political desperation. We should carefully examine the records, experience, competence, character, and achievements of every candidate before making our decisions,” he added.
According to Uchendu, elections should focus on ideas, development and accountability.“Elections should be about ideas, development, accountability, and our future.
Leadership is a serious responsibility, and the people deserve leaders who understand the job and are prepared to serve,” he said.
Ola Kalu also endorsed the senator’s re-election during a radio programme in Abia State on Monday.
He described Orji Uzor Kalu as an effective legislator whose constituency interventions had delivered tangible development across Abia North.
The commentator said legislative representation extends beyond lawmaking and oversight, arguing that elected representatives should also attract development to their constituencies.
“Distinguished Senator Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has, through the instrumentality of legislative bargain, attracted sustainable infrastructural development in Abia North Senatorial District,” he said
Ola Kalu listed several projects he attributed to the senator, including:
A one-kilometre road in Ndi Orieke.
A two-kilometre road linking the Army checkpoint at Isiugwu Junction to Isugwu Village.
Rehabilitation of classroom blocks in Okagwe, Elu, Ebem and Akanu communities in Ohafia Local Government Area.
Classroom renovation and borehole projects across Bende, Isuikwuato and Arochukwu local government areas.
He also cited scholarship support for 150 students studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
“Segmentally, all the 67 communities in Abia North have received one public dividend through the kind gesture of Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” he claimed.
The commentator further commended Kalu’s youth-focused empowerment programmes, including initiatives aimed at creating employment opportunities and facilitating placements for young constituents in federal establishments.
According to his supporters, the senator’s constituency development efforts have extended beyond physical infrastructure to education, skills acquisition and human capital development.
Since his election to the Senate in 2019, Kalu has reportedly sponsored constituents for international educational programmes, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies, international conferences and other capacity-building opportunities.
His supporters also point to the distribution of vocational and livelihood equipment as part of his empowerment initiatives.
They argue that the projects reflect a broader approach to constituency development, combining roads and other infrastructure with education, employment opportunities and skills development.
Kalu’s reported constituency-development record has also attracted recognition from professional bodies.
According to the account, the Senate Press Corps has twice named him the Best Senator in Constituency Development.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists has also honoured him for his contributions to constituency development.
However, the claims about projects and awards were made by his supporters and were not independently verified in the account.
Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, is seeking another term as senator representing Abia North under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The latest endorsements from Uchendu and Ola Kalu add to the support for his re-election campaign as political parties and aspirants prepare for the polls.