Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu  Denies Endorsing Gov Otti For A Second Term

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress APC has strongly rejected claims suggesting that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has endorsed the second term ambition of Abia state Governor, Alex Otti.

The rebuttal is coming against the backdrop of growing speculations  amidst social media reports claiming that Kalu has jettisoned his much touted gubernatorial bid to endorse Governor Otti’s re-election.

According to the reports, Kalu has instead resolved to concentrate on consolidating his stay at the National Assembly.

It will be recalled that the Deputy Speaker was said to have earlier in the week procured the expression of interest and nomination forms for the Abia Governorship and House of Representatives race, a development which had accentuated rumours of abandoning his pursuit for the state’s topmost job.

But in a statement on Friday May 8, 2026, from Uche Aguoru, its spokesperson, the Abia State chapter of the APC described the reports of the Deputy Speaker’s purported endorsement of Governor Otti as false, misleading and mischievous.

The party accused Governor Otti’s media minders of being behind the cowardly misinformation circulating in social space.

While calling on party members, supporters and Abia residents to disregard the reports, the APC emphasized the unflinching commitment of Kalu to the  party’s quest at staking a strong claim in the governance space of Abia state come 2027.

“The attention of the APC in Abia State has been drawn to a misleading, malicious and deceptive propaganda being circulated across various media platforms allegedly by Governor Alex Otti’s media team.

“For the benefits of unsuspecting members of the public who may be misled by these desperate falsehood, we wish to categorically state the Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu has never, at any time, either publicly or privately, endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office.

“Rt. Hon. Kalu remains a loyal, committed, and dedicated party man as well as the undisputed leader of the APC in Abia State.

“On the contrary, the Deputy Speaker has remained resolute, and fully committed to the mission of ensuring that the All Progressive Congress wins all elective positions in Abia State and takes over the Government House, Umuahia, come May 29, 2029

“His determination to ensure that the Labour Party, LP, administration in Abia State is voted out remains strong, consistent and unwavering, especially in view of what many Abians consider the mismanagement of the state across critical sectors of governance”, the APC stated.