Governor Alex Otti has cautioned Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and other members of the ruling party that they should be prepared for dire consequences if they attempt to manipulate the 2027 governorship election in Abia.
“I’ve heard some associates of his claiming they will seize control of the state and fabricate results. My advice to them is that if they truly intend to fabricate results, they should prepare something else beforehand. You know what that means – their will. This is our state, and no one can intimidate us,” Otti stated.
Otti issued this warning about potential election rigging during a press briefing in Umuahia on Thursday in response to Kalu’s recent boast that the APC will prevent Otti from securing a second term and seize power in 2027.
When asked if he felt threatened by Kalu’s recent declaration of intentions to take over power in Abia by 2027, Otti, who described the deputy speaker as his colleague, said he was not “worried” by the statement.
“I heard he (Kalu) wants to run for governor in 2027, that’s perfectly fine. It is his constitutional right. No one should stop him,” Otti of the Labour Party said.
The governor, however, suggested that Kalu is “hurting the image” of the ruling party in Abia.
Urging the people of Abia to remain calm, Otti criticized and condemned Kalu for campaigning in violation of electoral regulations.
“We must uphold the law. If the electoral commission releases the schedule and sets the campaign period, beginning campaigns before then puts you at risk—you could even be disqualified before the election. So, gathering people and declaring an intention to take over the state in 2027 is campaigning,” Otti stated. “It’s not proper. I would encourage him that if he wishes to run for election, he should wait. Once the electoral commission permits, he should begin campaigning. The people of Abia will determine who their governor will be.”
During his recent visit to Abia, Kalu had told his supporters to “get ready, the ruling party will take over this state.”
“The ruling party will take over Abia state. And you know why? So that what is allocated from the capital will reach your ward,” said the deputy speaker.
