By Mercy Aikoye
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on Igbo people to invest their votes strategically. He made this call during a series of courtesy visits to stakeholders in Abia State.
Kalu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message was clear: leaders must reach out to one another and work collectively to build a stronger, more cohesive party and nation. “The President’s message was clear: leaders at all levels must reach out to one another, put aside divisive tendencies, and work collectively to build a stronger, more cohesive party and nation,” Kalu said.
The lawmaker urged Igbo people to support the South West at this time, noting that this would strengthen trust, inclusion, and reciprocity within the Nigerian political landscape. “The shortest route to the emergence of an Igbo President lies in building strong political alliances, particularly by supporting the South West at this time,” Kalu said.
Kalu emphasized the importance of party unity and cohesion. He noted that the era of merely negotiating for 25 percent votes for the President in Abia State is over, stressing that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state now has the structure, momentum, and political capital to deliver outright victory.
The Deputy Speaker presented his two-year scorecard to elder statesmen and party leaders, openly inviting them to critique his performance. “I believe leadership must be subjected to scrutiny. I presented my two-year scorecard and asked them to honestly assess what I have done so far, so I can do better,” Kalu said.
Kalu charged party stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilization and strategic engagement to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the 2027 general elections. He expressed confidence that with growing grassroots support and renewed unity among stakeholders, Abia APC is fully positioned to win the state convincingly for President Bola Tinubu in future elections.
The lawmaker urged Igbo people to invest their votes wisely, noting that the vote they have in their hands is the currency for investments. “If you carry your vote and dump it where it does not count toward success, you have wasted your opportunity to go to the negotiation table and ask for what you have invested in,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker’s call to action is a clear message to Igbo people to strategically invest their votes and work towards building a stronger, more cohesive party and nation. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the stakes are high, and the APC is determined to emerge victorious.
