Mbala, Achara leaders back Kalu’s re-election, cite projects

• Say other zones envy Abia North’s representation

From **Kenneth Udeh, **Umuahia

Community leaders and political stakeholders in Mbala and Achara, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, have endorsed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for re-election in 2027, citing constituency projects and other development initiatives attracted to Abia North.

The endorsement came on Saturday during Kalu’s ongoing ward-to-ward tour of Umunneochi, where community leaders urged residents to place performance and tangible development above political sentiments.

Speaking during the engagements, Olekanma said other senatorial districts were becoming envious of Abia North because of what he described as the development projects and quality representation the district had enjoyed under Kalu.

He urged residents to remain focused on sustaining the progress recorded in the district and attracting more federal projects, warning against allowing political sentiments to override development considerations. At Mbala, the community Secretary, Udegbulam Stanley, who represented the President-General, welcomed Kalu and commended his contributions to Umunneochi and other parts of Abia North.

Stanley said the community had constructed a secretariat to strengthen its administration and coordinate its activities but needed additional facilities to make it fully operational.

He appealed to Kalu to assist the community with laptops, computers and other digital equipment to improve record-keeping, communication and administrative efficiency.

In Achara, the President-General, Umealo Ekperebuike, recalled how an intervention during Kalu’s tenure as governor of Abia State had changed the course of his life.

Ekperebuike said he benefited from an employment waiver that enabled him to secure a local government job, attain financial stability and subsequently sponsor himself through university.

Describing the opportunity as a turning point, he thanked Kalu and appealed to him to intervene in the community’s persistent electricity challenges. He specifically requested support for the procurement of electrical insulators, low- and high-tension wires and other materials needed to restore electricity to the community.

Ekperebuike also pledged Achara’s support for Kalu’s re-election in 2027, expressing confidence that the senator would continue to respond to the development needs of the area.

Responding, Kalu thanked the community leaders, elders, women and youths for their reception and support.

He said the ward-to-ward tour was aimed at strengthening direct engagement with constituents, identifying their challenges and providing residents with an opportunity to present their needs.

Kalu assured the communities that their requests would be considered, adding that he would continue to engage relevant federal agencies to attract projects and opportunities to Abia North.

He also restated his commitment to rural development, education and infrastructure, recalling the free education programme and rural road projects implemented during his tenure as governor.

Kalu pledged to strengthen his representation and attract more development initiatives to the district if re-elected in 2027.

Among those who accompanied him on the tour were former Umunneochi Local Government Chairman Collins Uchechi; APC candidate for Umunneochi State Constituency, Uche Stanley Ebere; Lilian Obenwa; and Simon Aladimpali.

Other APC leaders, members of the OUK Movement and community stakeholders also participated in the engagements.

Kalu also visited Umuaku Ward 1, Umuaku Ward 2 and Umuobasi Ward, where he interacted with residents and received requests for additional development projects.

The visits are part of his consultations across Umunneochi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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