The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on Nigerians, particularly the Igbo ethnic group, to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu [/b]ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them not to waste their votes.
He made the appeal while reinforcing the President’s message of unity, reconciliation and internal cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that political strength is built through collaboration and strategic alliances.
Hon. Kalu urged party leaders and stakeholders to intensify engagement, strengthen internal bonds [/b]and sustain reconciliation efforts nationwide, noting that unity remains critical to the party’s future success.
Visits Across Abia’s Senatorial Zones
The Deputy Speaker made the remarks on Monday during a series of courtesy visits across the three senatorial zones of Abia State — Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South.
The visits, according to him, were aimed at consolidating party structures, fostering unity and ensuring that the APC remains strong and united at both state and national levels.
In Abia North, Hon. Kalu paid a visit to former Abia State Governor and ex-Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
At Abia Central, he met with Senator John Bob Nwannunu, while in Abia South, he visited APC chieftain and former Hallmark Bank Managing Director, Sir Mac Wabara.
During the meetings, discussions centered on party reconciliation, internal consolidation, grassroots mobilisation and sustained collaboration for political stability and growth.
Tinubu’s Message to Party Leaders
Hon. Kalu explained that President Tinubu’s message to party leaders was unambiguous — leaders must reach out to one another, set aside personal and political differences, and work collectively for the progress of the party and the nation.
He described the festive season as an opportunity for reflection, forgiveness and renewed commitment to inclusive governance and national development.
According to him, unity within the APC is not optional but essential for electoral success and effective governance.
Call for Strategic Igbo Politics
Addressing broader national politics, the Deputy Speaker urged the Igbo people to adopt a more strategic and pragmatic political approach.
He cautioned against emotional voting, stating that votes should be “invested wisely, not wasted.”
Hon. Kalu argued that aligning with strong political blocs offers the clearest pathway to long-term political relevance and the eventual realization of an Igbo presidency.
He added that supporting the South West at this time would help build trust, political inclusion and reciprocity in future power-sharing arrangements.
Commitment to Party and South East Advancement
Reaffirming his loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu, Hon. Kalu emphasized his commitment to advancing the interests of the South East within Nigeria’s political framework.
He assured party leaders and stakeholders of his dedication to effective representation, inclusive governance and developmental advocacy for the region.
The Deputy Speaker also presented his two-year scorecard to elder statesmen and party leaders, openly inviting criticism and evaluation of his performance.
“I believe leadership must be subjected to scrutiny. I presented my two-year scorecard and asked them to honestly assess what I have done so far, so I can do better,” he said.
2027 Elections and Grassroots Mobilisation
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Hon. Kalu called on APC stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilisation across Abia State and the South East.
He declared that the era of settling for just 25 percent votes in Abia State was over, insisting that the APC now has the structure, momentum and political capital to secure outright victory.
According to him, the party is better positioned than ever to deliver strong electoral outcomes for President Tinubu in future elections.
Defence of Tinubu’s Policies
The Deputy Speaker also defended President Tinubu’s economic and governance policies, describing the President as courageous and resolute in implementing difficult but necessary reforms.
“And in this I want us to remember that this President has shown leadership. The policies were tough but the President was steadfast,” he stated.
He added that Nigerians were beginning to feel the positive impact of the reforms, noting that consistency and patience would yield long-term benefits.
Appeal to Igbo Leaders and Voters
Hon. Kalu made a direct appeal to Igbo leaders and voters, urging them to move beyond sentiment and embrace political realism.
“Igbo’s, let us invest our votes. Igbo’s, let us not waste our votes,” he said.
He emphasized that political influence is driven by numbers and strategic alignment rather than emotions.
He further noted that President Tinubu has demonstrated willingness to work with the Igbo, citing inclusive project allocation, appointments and sustained political engagement.
“He’s a listening President. I beg of you, let us stand by him and his current policies,” he added.
Elders Commend Deputy Speaker
Elder statesmen and party leaders present at the meetings commended Hon. Kalu for his performance at the National Assembly.
They described his contributions as impactful, people-focused and reflective of responsible leadership.
The elders also praised his openness in presenting his scorecard, noting that it demonstrated transparency, humility and accountability.
They pledged their continued support and assured him of their commitment to strengthening party structures and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.