As political tension slowly builds toward the 2027 general elections, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu — younger brother to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu — has officially declared his ambition to contest the Abia State governorship seat once again.
The declaration comes barely a week after his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Action Peoples Party (APP), the platform on which he previously ran for governor in 2023. Addressing a crowd of supporters in Umuahia over the weekend, Kalu said his mission is simple — to “unify Abia and build a prosperous state where opportunities abound for everyone,” regardless of political affiliation or background.
He boldly vowed to unseat the incumbent Governor Alex Otti, accusing him of failing to deliver on his campaign promises. According to Kalu, his decision to run again stems from his dissatisfaction with the level of development across the state. “I accepted the 2023 election results because it represented the people’s desire for change,” he said. “But today, that change hasn’t delivered the progress Abians deserve.”
Kalu emphasized that he isn’t relying on his brother’s political influence to win the APC ticket but on his own record and connection with the grassroots. As a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Theodore Orji, he pledged to align Abia’s growth with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“On behalf of myself, my wife, and my family, I stand before you all to declare my interest for the Abia governorship under the APC come 2027,” he announced. “Together, we will harness President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope policies to bring real governance to our people — from the top to the grassroots.”
He added that his campaign is not about “politics as usual” but a genuine call to restore empathy and purposeful leadership in the state.
Kalu also criticized the Labour Party-led government in Abia, saying it had not achieved enough to justify another term. “I gave this administration time to work without criticism for two years,” he noted. “While I acknowledge some progress, it’s still far from the lofty promises made in 2023. Abia deserves better.”
He accused the Otti administration of mishandling local government funds, insisting that Abia LGAs are yet to enjoy true financial autonomy. He promised to focus on both infrastructural development and stomach infrastructure, ensuring that development translates into better living conditions for ordinary people.
“I’m young, vibrant, and ready. I know what Abia needs, and I will not disappoint,” he declared confidently.
Kalu urged eligible voters across the state to register and secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that “every vote must count.”
