Work Over Politics!” Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Snubs 2027 Ambition to Focus on Fixing Nigeria

While the political “grapevine” is already buzzing with talk of the 2027 elections, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is telling everyone to slow down.

Speaking to journalists at his home in Bende, Abia State, this Friday, Kalu made it clear that he isn’t losing sleep over his next political move. Instead, he’s focused on his current job: bringing development to his constituency and ensuring the government works for the people. “Being a Governor is not the ultimate ambition for people like me,” he stated, effectively cooling down the heated rumors about his 2027 plans.

The lawmaker also used the opportunity to address the ongoing “cat and mouse” narrative between himself and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State. Kalu dismissed claims that he was trying to gatekeep the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Governor. On the contrary, he revealed that he had actually invited Otti to join the ruling party to bring the state closer to the “center” of power in Abuja. According to Kalu, if he were “self-centered,” he would be blocking the door, not inviting others in.

Beyond the local politics of Abia, the Deputy Speaker touched on the “big picture” for the South East. He called for the creation of one more state in the region to make things fair and balanced across Nigeria. He also urged his kinsmen to stop “sentimental politics” and start building friendships with other zones if they want to see a South East president in the future.

For Kalu, the current priority is clear: fix the roads, empower the youth, and ensure that local governments have the power and money to solve problems at the grassroots level. As far as 2027 is concerned, he says he’ll leave that decision to his party and the voters when the time comes. For now, he’s staying focused on the “Renewed Hope” agenda and making sure his people feel the impact of governance.