POLITICS
ABIA 2027: Mascot Uzor Kalu Makes Bold Statement, Declares for Governorship, Promises Inclusive, Transparent Leadership
Former Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Sir Mascot Uzor Kalu, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to build a government that works for all Abians especially the underserved at the grassroots level.
In a declaration speech delivered with passion and conviction in Umuahia, Abia State on Saturday 25th October 2025, Kalu emphasized the need for a new era of governance anchored on unity, transparency, and grassroots empowerment. Reflecting on his decision not to contest the outcome of the 2023 gubernatorial election, Kalu said: “Though there were irregularities, I congratulated the winner because the people demanded change. I chose not to go to court, allowing the administration space to govern. But today, Abia deserves more progress, more inclusivity, and more truth in governance.”
Kalu, who described himself as a frontline candidate in 2023, noted that while some progress has been made under the current administration, the delivery has not matched the campaign promises made to the people
Outlining his agenda, the APC chieftain promised to lead a people-focused government rooted in equity, transparency, and economic development. His core pledges include:
-Full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda at the grassroots
-Opening state government financial systems to public scrutiny
1Ensuring civil servants and pensioners are treated with dignity and paid promptly
-Creating job-driven economic programs, especially targeting Abia’s youth
-Strengthening local government autonomy by publishing and releasing LG allocations in full
-Sustaining and improving existing capital projects while launching human capacity development initiatives
Citing Abia’s staggering unemployment rate of over 62%—nearly double the national average—Kalu declared it was unacceptable for the state to ignore the urgency of economic revitalization.
“Our journey is not politics as usual. It is a call to restore empathy to leadership and give every Abian a reason to believe again,” he said.
Kalu invited party loyalists, progressives across political divides, and non-indigenes alike to join his campaign to reposition Abia under the APC.
He stressed that his movement transcends politics and is anchored on faith and resilience, quoting Saint Teresa of Avila:
“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. God never changes. Whoever has God lacks nothing.”
He ended his declaration with a bold rallying cry for action:
“Let us build an Abia that works for all of us, not just some of us.”
The campaign slogan unveiled at the end of his address was:
“Onye rụọ, orie! Arutu uzu, arutu afọ!!”�(Translation: He who works, eats! When the barn is full, so is the stomach!)
With prayers for the success of APC, Abia State, and Nigeria, Kalu’s speech officially signaled the beginning of what political observers say could be a defining contest in the road to Abia 2027.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has fixed October 20 for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its national chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, insisting that the party remains united behind its presidential ticket.
Cleopas disclosed this on Saturday at a press briefing in Abuja, saying the inauguration would take place during a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee, where key decisions on its preparations for the elections would also be ratified.
He said the party would present Certificates of Return to its candidates and hold a dinner to strengthen cooperation ahead of the polls.
He said, “The propaganda that our party is not committed to the elections is definitely a sign of fear in the camp of the ruling party.
“In preparation for full campaign takeoff, we have proposed a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party on October 20.
“It is at that NEC meeting that we will officially inaugurate the NDC Presidential Campaign Council and ratify certain key decisions related to the 2027 General Election.”
The chairman said the party was prioritising the composition of the council to ensure that members were suitable for the responsibilities they would be given.
“It is better to get it right. It is a sensitive election that we are going into. And we must check characters,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has put to rest speculation over its governorship ticket, with the state Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, reaffirming Eric Opah as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FLO 94.9 FM, Chukwu declared that all controversies surrounding the party’s primaries have been resolved, and the results announced by the primary election committee — and subsequently ratified by the APC National Working Committee — remain valid and binding.
“The results of the primaries as announced by the primary election committee and ratified by the National Working Committee stand,” Chukwu said. He stressed that Eric Opah is the authentic governorship candidate of the APC in Abia State.
The chairman called on all party members to bury their differences and close ranks in order to build a formidable APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
In the same interview, Chukwu also confirmed that Hon. Erondu Uchenna will be the party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that Justice Peter Lifu acted in contempt of court by issuing a judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other political parties despite a pending appeal.
According to Abdullahi, the Court of Appeal had directed that no action should be taken on the matter until the appeal is heard on October 27. He argued that proceeding with the judgment before the appellate court’s determination amounts to a disregard for the court’s directive.
“Justice Peter Lifu, the judge who gave the judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other parties, should be arrested. The Appeal Court said don’t act until the case is heard on October 27. He’s acting in contempt of court,” Abdullahi stated.
The remarks add a new dimension to the legal and political controversy surrounding the status of the affected political parties, with the matter expected to be further addressed when the appeal comes up for hearing.
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