Benjamin Kalu – Deputy Speaker House of Representatives
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has reportedly stepped back from his widely discussed 2027 governorship ambition in Abia State and instead returned to seek re-election to the House of Representatives for Bende Federal Constituency.
Kalu was said to have quietly appeared before the APC screening committee in Abuja for the party’s House of Representatives primaries, a move that has sparked intense political reactions within the All Progressives Congress in Abia State.
His decision marks a major shift from earlier expectations, as the Deputy Speaker had previously been linked strongly with plans to challenge Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election. Political observers say the latest development may reflect changing political calculations within the APC and growing concerns over the party’s chances against Otti’s administration.
Sources within the party claim internal assessments suggested it could be difficult for the APC to compete effectively against Governor Otti, whose administration has gained increasing public attention over infrastructure projects and governance reforms across the state.
The reported secrecy surrounding Kalu’s screening has also fueled speculation among party members and supporters. Some APC loyalists who had promoted his governorship ambition are now questioning whether the plan was ever fully serious or simply part of broader political negotiations ahead of 2027.
Analysts say the move could indicate a strategy by Kalu to consolidate his political influence at the national level rather than risk a highly competitive governorship contest. As Deputy Speaker, Kalu remains one of the most prominent political figures from the South-East within the ruling APC and is considered influential in federal legislative politics.
The development is expected to reshape political alignments within Abia State, especially within opposition circles preparing for the next election cycle. While Kalu has not publicly explained the reported change in ambition, discussions within political circles suggest the decision may significantly affect APC’s strategy in the state ahead of 2027.
