Orji Kalu Concedes No One Can Stop Alex Otti’s Re-Election
Abuja / Umuahia – August 6, 2026 — Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has publicly acknowledged that neither he nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) can stop Abia State Governor Alex Otti from securing a second term in 2027.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former Abia governor and current senator representing Abia North declared Otti the clear favourite in the next governorship race, despite ongoing political differences between them.
“Alex Otti will win the governorship election. He is my brother and my banker. Whatever I want to tell him, I tell him privately,” Kalu said.
A Striking Admission
The remarks mark a notable shift in tone from earlier statements in which Kalu had vowed to mobilise the APC to reclaim Abia and oppose Otti’s re-election.
By conceding that Otti currently enjoys overwhelming political support in the state, the senator effectively admitted that the Labour Party governor remains difficult to unseat.
Kalu emphasized that any disagreements or advice between them would stay private rather than being aired publicly, underscoring a complex personal relationship that has survived their divergent political paths.
Broader Political Context
While conceding the governorship race, Kalu remained bullish about President Bola Tinubu’s prospects and the APC’s overall chances in Abia.
He predicted that Tinubu would improve his performance in the South-East and win the state in 2027, even as Otti retains the Government House.
The senator also described the opposition as weak and fragmented, arguing that Tinubu faces no serious competition as long as opposition parties remain divided.
He scored the President’s performance at about 65 per cent, praising macroeconomic stabilization while acknowledging ongoing struggles at the microeconomic level.
Rivalry and Reality
Relations between Otti and Kalu have been marked by sharp exchanges in recent months. Otti has previously dismissed Kalu’s claims of influence and challenged him over the APC’s poor showing in parts of Abia in 2023.
Kalu, for his part, has insisted that party loyalty must come first and that the APC does not need the governor’s support to succeed.
Yet the latest television appearance reveals a pragmatic assessment of the political terrain in Abia, where Otti’s performance in office appears to have solidified his standing with voters.
As the 2027 election cycle draws closer, Kalu’s concession highlights the difficulty opposition parties face in dislodging popular incumbents—even when personal and party rivalries remain unresolved.
For now, the senator’s message is clear: Alex Otti’s path to a second term looks increasingly unstoppable.
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