The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to defect from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring him of full support if he makes the move.
Kalu made the appeal on Monday during his annual Christmas food distribution and town hall meeting held at his country home in Agbamuzu, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking at the event, the deputy speaker said the APC remained open to leaders willing to work collectively to strengthen the party and advance its political goals in Abia. He publicly invited Governor Otti to join the party, saying the APC would stand by him if he defects.
Kalu said returning home to interact with his people was always meaningful to him, noting that he remained accountable to his constituents. He added that the National Assembly was working closely with President Bola Tinubu to deliver good governance across the country.
He urged Nigerians to support the president, the APC, and its Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said was aimed at building a strong and sustainable future for the nation.
On his annual rice distribution, Kalu explained that the initiative began in 2003 as a humanitarian effort, long before he joined partisan politics. He said the programme had been sustained for over two decades, despite recent attempts to politicise it, stressing that he had not declared any intention to contest the governorship.
Responding to criticisms on social media, the deputy speaker recalled that similar doubts were expressed ahead of his election to the House of Representatives, which he said he won convincingly. He added that consultations were ongoing within the APC and that he was awaiting guidance from the party leadership.
He encouraged party members interested in contesting the 2027 elections to remain confident, assuring them of the president’s support, while also calling for continued grassroots mobilisation across Abia State.
On empowerment, Mr Kalu announced a N1 billion intervention programme to support 2,000 small and medium scale businesses across the state.
He said each beneficiary would initially receive about N500,000, with agencies such as the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, and SMEDAN expected to partner to expand the programme.
He added that application forms were available at the Renewed Hope Office on Ojike Street, Umuahia, and must be submitted within 30 days.
Describing Abia as an enterprising state, Kalu said the initiative would boost economic activities and improve livelihoods.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Chris Nkwonta, commended the deputy speaker’s performance, noting that within less than three years he had delivered 58 projects.
He said the achievement stood in contrast to past leaders who occupied high national offices with little impact on their constituencies.
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