– Concerned stakeholders from the Ukwa la Ngwa nation in Abia State, have denied a report claiming they urged Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives to vie for the governorship position in the 2027 gubernatorial election.

Rather, Dr. Kassarachi Enyinna, the vice presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and now a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), thrown his weight behind Dr. Alex Otti for a second term in office, saying the incumbent governor had “delivered remarkably in his two years in office and deserves a second term in 2027.”

Eyinna in a statement to journalists on Monday, described the report calling on Kalu to contest the 2027 election as a governor from the Ukwa la Ngwa leadership as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to deceive the public.

He insisted that no such mandate or endorsement was given by the Ukwa la Ngwa leadership.

He called on Kalu and the public to be wary of political opportunists and self-serving individuals who employ divisive tactics for personal gain.

Enyinna who is an investment banker, also reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, citing the president’s efforts in steering Nigeria towards economic growth.

He further cautioned political actors against manipulating the deputy speaker by promoting unrealistic ambitions designed to derail the current developmental trajectory in the state.

Enyinna restated that at no time did the leadership or elders of Ukwa la Ngwa mandated any group, individual, or failed politicians to speak on behalf of the people concerning the 2027 governorship election in Abia State.

He advised Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu to remain focused on his legislative responsibilities and service to his constituents, warning against being misled by “fair-weather politicians” seeking relevance after contributing to the stagnation of Abia State under the previous administration.

Highlighting the need for adherence to the principles of the “Abia Charter of Equity,” Enyinna insisted that Abia North Senatorial District should support Abia Central in completing their rightful eight-year tenure and back Dr. Alex Otti’s re-election bid in 2027.

He said: “The remarkable development under Dr. Alex Otti’s administration is evident. We must consolidate these gains rather than regress into the failed leadership patterns of the past.”