Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State have endorsed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made during a post-convention appraisal meeting held on Sunday in Umuahia. The resolution was contained in a communiqué read by former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Martins Azubuike.
The meeting, attended by party executives, former lawmakers, serving legislators, and chieftains from the 17 local government areas, saw Kalu unanimously endorsed through a voice vote. Representatives from the three senatorial zones of the state were also present.
Participants expressed confidence in Kalu’s leadership and performance, affirming his suitability for the governorship position.
State APC Chairman, Chijioke Chukwu, commended stakeholders for their commitment to the party, while assuring that other aspirants would be given a level playing field.
Chukwu also highlighted the party’s growth in Abia, noting that membership had risen from 7,000 in 2023 to over 160,000.
He added that the party was targeting between 800,000 and one million votes in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
In his response, Kalu expressed appreciation for the endorsement and urged members to continue supporting Tinubu’s administration.
He acknowledged calls from across the state’s local government areas urging him to contest, adding that he would make his decision public in the coming weeks.
“I will address a larger audience, outside this room, where everyone will hear and you will be happy with my response,” he said.
