From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Ukwa/Ngwa group, a socio-cultural organisation in Abia State, has refuted claims that it urged Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, to contest the 2027 governorship election.
Former House of Representatives member Hon Uzo Azubuike clarified that no such endorsement occurred during their visit to Kalu.
“There was nowhere in our discussion with the Deputy Speaker that the issue of his running for 2027 governorship came up,” Azubuike said.
He explained that the group visited Kalu to thank him for facilitating federal appointments for Ukwa/Ngwa indigenes. Azubuike noted that discussions focused on Kalu’s call for Ndigbo to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election to strengthen Igbo influence in Nigeria.
“We assured the Deputy Speaker that Ukwa/Ngwa in APC are mobilising our people to vote for President Tinubu in 2027,” Azubuike said, denying any mention of Kalu’s governorship ambition. He stressed that 2027 remains distant and in God’s hands, not man’s.