Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that a strategic political alliance between Nigeria's Southeast and Southwest regions presents the most viable route to achieving an Igbo presidency. He made this assertion during a series of high-level consultations across Abia State.
Pragmatic Politics Over Sentiment
Kalu, speaking to elder statesmen and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia's three senatorial zones, emphasized that political success is driven by numbers and calculation, not emotion. "What you play politics with is numbers, not sentiments. Votes are currency," Kalu stated. He warned that investing votes where they do not translate to political capital wastes a region's opportunity at the national negotiation table.
His tour, which took place in Abia North, Central, and South, focused on fostering party unity and discussing the Southeast's strategic positioning for the 2027 general elections. Kalu argued that for the Southeast to strengthen its bargaining power, it must continue to demonstrate sustained support for the Southwest, particularly under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Building Trust and Unity for 2027
Kalu stressed that building trust, inclusion, and reciprocity is essential. "The South must stay united. Any attempt to break that unity through sentiment will weaken the Southeast politically and take us backwards," he cautioned. He framed this alliance as a pragmatic step to position the region favorably for the presidency in the future.
During his engagements, Kalu met with key political figures including former Senate Chief Whip and ex-Governor Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator John Bob Nwannunu, and APC chieftain Sir Mac Wabara. Discussions centered on strengthening APC structures, aligning stakeholders, and mobilising grassroots support ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Tinubu's Leadership and APC's Momentum
The Deputy Speaker also used the opportunity to commend President Tinubu's leadership style, describing his policies as courageous and inclusive. "He has proven that there is no discrimination in project allocation or governance. He is a listening president, and the political will is there," Kalu said.
He presented his own two-year performance scorecard to the leaders, inviting scrutiny. Furthermore, Kalu expressed strong confidence in the APC's prospects in Abia State, declaring that the era of settling for 25% of the vote was over. He believes the party now possesses the structure and momentum to deliver a decisive victory for President Tinubu in the region.
In response, the elder statesmen present commended Kalu's impactful and people-oriented leadership in the National Assembly. They pledged continued support to strengthen the APC and mobilize grassroots backing for the upcoming 2027 elections.
