A Baptist cleric, Rev. Samson Okoro Elekwa, has urged Labour Party candidate David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex and Uko Nkole of the NDC to shelve their ambitions for the Abia North senatorial seat and support Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Elekwa said Kalu’s record of representation and development across Abia North had distinguished him, arguing that the district should consolidate on what he described as the senator’s achievements rather than change course in 2027.
Speaking to journalists, the cleric said his position was informed by projects and interventions attracted to communities across the senatorial district, particularly in road construction, education and human capital development.
“I honestly wonder what those campaigning against Orji Uzor Kalu are looking at. Politics should not prevent us from acknowledging development when we see it. Look at what Kalu has done across Abia North and compare it with what we had before him,” Elekwa said.
He argued that longevity in the National Assembly should not count against a legislator who continued to deliver dividends of representation to constituents.
“If Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could remain in the National Assembly for about 20 years and the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije represented Abia North for 12 years, then I see no reason our people should be talking about replacing a senator who, in my assessment, has delivered tremendously for the district.
“Abia North should be asking Kalu to continue for as long as he remains willing and capable of delivering. The number of young people who have benefited from his human capacity development initiatives and the road and school projects attracted under his representation speak for themselves,” he said.
Elekwa described Kalu as “Abia’s greatest gift from God” and “a divine instrument” through whom, he said, communities across Abia North were witnessing development.
He cited road projects in Ndi Orieke, Ohafia Local Government Area, and Amannagwu in Arochukwu LGA among interventions he attributed to Kalu’s representation.
“The road in Ndi Orieke, Ohafia, and the one in Amannagwu, Arochukwu, are just a few among the many projects Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has brought to our people.
“He didn’t just talk; he acted. These roads have opened up our communities and helped our farmers, traders and transporters. For me, this is real empowerment because infrastructure continues to serve the people long after the politics is over,” Elekwa said.
The cleric also listed Atan Abam, Alayi, Ezeukwu, Ndi Inya Abam, Isu, Umuzomgbo, Itumbauzo, Okoko Item, Nneato, Akanu Ohafia and Abia Ohafia among communities he said had benefited from projects and interventions during Kalu’s representation.
According to him, the senator’s contributions extended beyond public infrastructure to private investments capable of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in the state.
He pointed to Kalu’s investments in Abia, including an ongoing university project, hostels and factories, which he described as evidence of a long-term commitment to the state’s economy and employment opportunities for young people.
“Kalu is not only building roads; he is building hope, restoring pride and creating opportunities for another generation. We must acknowledge and protect this legacy,” Elekwa said.
He argued that the South-East needed political leaders capable of combining influence at the national level with development and grassroots representation.
“My appeal to Bourdex and Nkole is simple: step down and support Orji Uzor Kalu. Abia North should consolidate on the development already taking place rather than allow political differences to distract us from what is working,” he said.
Elekwa urged voters to assess candidates on their records and tangible contributions to the district rather than political sentiments, insisting that Kalu’s performance provided the strongest argument for his continued representation.
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