In a bold rebuke, Hon. Linus Okorie, a former member of the House of Representatives, has advised Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu to rethink his aspirations for the Abia State Governorship in the upcoming 2027 election. This came after Kalu’s recent remarks during an interview, where he asserted that Governor Alex Otti of Abia State would be the last Labour Party (LP) governor the state would see.
Kalu further vowed not to stand by as the sixth citizen of the country and allow the Labour Party or any other political party to produce the next governor in 2027. His comments stirred a strong response from Hon. Okorie, who represented the Ivo, Ohaozara, and Onicha Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State. Okorie, who was also the LP’s 2023/2024 Bye-election Senatorial Candidate, issued a statement urging Kalu to reconsider his stance.
In the statement released on Tuesday, Okorie called out Kalu’s approach, saying: “The recent ego trip and infantile vituperations against the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who has become loquaciously boastful of his rank as the 6th citizen, hence the 6th most important person in Nigeria’s political firmament, is very shameful.”
Okorie also emphasized the historical leadership contributions of Ndigbo in Nigeria’s National Assembly, expressing disappointment that Kalu seemed to disregard this legacy. He criticized Kalu’s attacks on the Labour Party, which Okorie described as the party embraced by Nigerians, especially Kalu’s own people, as a viable alternative.
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In his closing remarks, Okorie warned Kalu, stating, “Attacking Governor Alex Otti or threatening Igbo people with a forceful reward for President Tinubu is definitely not the way to go.” He advised Kalu to enjoy his political success peacefully and focus on representing his people rather than making threats.
The exchange between the two prominent political figures highlights the growing tensions within the political landscape of Abia State as the 2027 gubernatorial election approaches.
