Anita Ogona
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has asserted that Alex Otti will be the final governor of Abia State representing the Labour Party.
Speaking candidly to a local radio station, Kalu—who represents Bende Federal Constituency declared, “I refuse to accept the title of Nigeria’s number six man while another party governs my home state.”
Despite acknowledging his friendship with Otti, Kalu firmly stated that the people of Abia will express their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his notable contributions, ensuring that another party does not reap the rewards of the government’s efforts.
He said: “This will be the last time that a Labour Party Governor will govern Abia State. I say it without mincing words, the next governor of Abia State will be from APC.
We’re friends, yes, but I’ll not be the number six citizen of the country and another party will govern my state. The next election of 2027, an APC governor will be there. I’ve told him (Otti) in person. I have told him publicly and privately that an APC person will be next governor or Abia State. How it will happen, I don’t know but it will happen.
On how the APC will takeover the state, Kalu said “I’m confident because my government is working hard, the president is working hard and Abia will repay the president.
“The President that have given you South East Development Commission will be repaid. A president that is appointing Abians into positions will be repaid. A president that is allowing the attraction of dividends of democracy to Abia State will be repaid. We’re not ungrateful people.
“Monkey will not work and baboon will chop. APC will not help Abia State to be strong and Labour Party will take the credit. APC will determine who becomes the next governor of Abia State. I don’t care about who the person is but one thing I know is that the platform APC will produce the next governor, go and mark it somewhere.”
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