Mascot Uzor Kalu, younger brother of former Abia State governor and serving senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Abia governorship election.
Naijaonpoint reports that the declaration comes barely a week after he returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Action Peoples Party (APP), on which platform he contested the 2023 governorship election.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Umuahia at the weekend, Kalu said his mission was to “unify Abia and build a prosperous state where opportunities abound for everyone, irrespective of party affiliation or social standing.”
The former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Theodore Orji accused incumbent Governor Alex Otti of failing to keep his campaign promises.
“I have given the administration room to govern without criticism for over two years. I acknowledge that some progress has been made. However, the progress remains far from the lofty campaign promises made during the 2023 election period. Abia and Abians deserve more, especially at the grassroots,” he said.
Kalu explained that although he was the first to concede defeat and congratulate Otti after the 2023 polls, he decided to recontest because he was dissatisfied with the current level of development.
Kalu stressed that his governorship ambition was not tied to his elder brother’s political clout.
“I am not banking on my brother’s influence to secure the governorship ticket. I will clinch it based on my own antecedents,” he said.
He pledged to leverage President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Abia.
“Together, we shall spread the dividends of good governance to the grassroots, empowering and uplifting our people through macro and micro economic systems,” he declared.
Kalu also criticised the Labour Party–controlled government over alleged mismanagement of local government funds, insisting that councils could not enjoy financial autonomy.
He promised to combine “stomach infrastructure” with physical development projects if elected.
“I’m young and vibrant. I know what this state needs, and I will not disappoint the people,” he added.
Kalu urged Abians to register and secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of 2027, stressing that “votes must count.”
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