Abia State Governor Alex Otti appears set for a smooth ride into the 2027 governorship election after two major APC contenders stepped aside in quick succession.
Sir Mascot Uzor Kalu, younger brother to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship race in Abia, citing fairness, equity and party unity. His exit comes days after Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also pulled out of the contest.
In a statement released to supporters and party members, Mascot said the decision followed extensive consultations with family, political associates and stakeholders across the state. He explained that with his brother, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, already emerging as the APC senatorial candidate for Abia North, stepping aside would give other aspirants a chance to contest the governorship ticket.
Mascot also pointed to the principle of power rotation, noting that stakeholders had agreed Abia Central Senatorial District should be allowed to complete its eight-year arrangement. “This decision is premised on two major reasons… to allow other aspirants the opportunity to exercise their right to contest for the office of Governor,” he stated.
The APC in Abia had earlier zoned its 2027 governorship ticket to Abia Central Senatorial District, effectively shutting out aspirants from Abia North and Abia South, including Benjamin Kalu and Mascot Kalu, who are both from Bende in Abia North. The party said the move was “in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play” and to maintain balanced representation across the three zones.
The development leaves Governor Otti, who won on the Labour Party platform in 2023, without an obvious APC challenger for now. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu had earlier vowed to withdraw his support for Otti in 2027 and focus on working for the APC. He accused Otti’s camp of attacking him after he declared he would work to deliver Abia for the APC and President Bola Tinubu….See More
