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Political stakeholders, community leaders and residents of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State have rallied behind the re-election bid of the senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, declaring their readiness to mobilise voters and protect the mandate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The renewed support for Kalu was expressed during his ongoing ward-to-ward engagement across Umunneochi on Wednesday, where the former Abia State governor received enthusiastic receptions from residents, traditional leaders, party chieftains, youths, women and community stakeholders.
One of the prominent voices to openly endorse Kalu was philanthropist and community stakeholder Chief Calistus Okoli, popularly known as Mayor Calimore, Ebubechukwu Uzo na Umuchieze, who pledged to work fully on the ground to ensure Kalu secures another term in the Senate.
Speaking during Kalu’s engagement with stakeholders, Okoli said the large turnout was already an indication of the level of support enjoyed by the senator, while stressing that the priority should now be to consolidate the support and ensure that the votes are protected during the election.
“By the grace of God, I am going to commit myself fully on the ground. You can see the number of people who have gathered here. Unfortunately, we could have planned for a bigger space, but you can see that your re-election to the Senate is already a done deal,” Okoli said.
He, however, noted that political victory would require more than public endorsements, pledging to mobilise the people and ensure that the votes freely given to Kalu are protected.
“But we must mobilise and ensure that the votes are protected and not diverted, and this is where I will be in the forefront. You have our backing to return to the Senate. You have done exceedingly well, and the only reward is more work so that you can continue doing the good things you have started,” he added.
Okoli said Kalu’s achievements were not merely political rhetoric or speculation, pointing to visible projects and interventions across the constituency as evidence of his performance.
“These are not speculative. The roads and schools are there for us to see. We have seen how vocal you are at the Senate, especially when you queried the expenditure of the commission which you chair. This shows that you are working the talk,” he said.
He further pledged to deploy his grassroots network and political influence towards securing Kalu’s return to the Senate, assuring the senator that he would do everything humanly possible to activate supporters across the area.
The endorsement was further reinforced by other political actors in Umunneochi, including Hon. Uche Stanley Ebere, the APC candidate for Umunneochi State Constituency, who played an active role throughout Kalu’s ward-to-ward tour.
Ebere mobilised grassroots constituents and participated in the various engagements, rallying support for Kalu’s re-election while also advancing the APC’s political presence across the constituency.
The participation of Ebere and other APC leaders further strengthened the grassroots mobilisation surrounding Kalu’s 2027 bid, as the senator and his team moved through communities including Lokpanta, Lokpaukwu, Ihube, Gariki and other wards in Umunneochi.
During the tour, Kalu also received a warm reception at Lokpanta Ward, where residents and community stakeholders turned out to interact with him and hear directly from the former governor.
At Lokpaukwu Ward, Kalu expressed appreciation for the reception, saying the warmth of the people made the engagement particularly memorable.
“It was a pleasure reconnecting with our people, seeing familiar faces and interacting directly with the community,” Kalu said, appreciating residents who came out to receive his delegation.
He similarly acknowledged the support received at Lekwesi Ward, describing the interaction as an opportunity to meet the people, exchange views and discuss issues affecting the community.
At the various stops, Kalu thanked residents for their continued support and reiterated his commitment to maintaining direct engagement with constituents.
The senator’s Umunneochi tour had earlier commenced with a courtesy visit to Eze Franklin Ohalaezim, Ezema III of Lokpanta Ancient Kingdom and chairman of the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council.
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During the interaction, the traditional ruler recalled some of the development interventions associated with Kalu’s tenure as governor of Abia State and acknowledged his longstanding relationship with the people of Umunneochi.
The endorsements continued across different wards.
At Eziama Ugwu Ward, former chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Hon. Collins Uchechi, declared his support for Kalu’s re-election and called on residents to support the senator in 2027.
Victor Etie, Esq., also spoke in favour of Kalu’s return to the Senate, while Kalu’s senior legislative aide joined other stakeholders in backing the re-election bid.
At Eziama Agbo Ward 7, prominent stakeholder and President-General, Chief George Okafor, reaffirmed his support for Kalu, while Chief Boniface Okorie, a former youth leader of Umunneochi, also urged residents to continue supporting the former governor.
The endorsement drive extended to Obahu/Akawa and Aruikpa Ward, where the President-General of the community, Elder Ihionu John, addressed residents and declared his support for Kalu.
Across the different engagements, stakeholders cited Kalu’s experience in the National Assembly, his longstanding relationship with the people, as well as projects and interventions attracted to Umunneochi as reasons for backing his re-election.
Kalu, on his part, recalled projects and interventions he attracted to Nneato and other communities in Umunneochi both as governor of Abia State and as senator representing Abia North.
He said his relationship with the people of Umunneochi predates his current position in the Senate, stressing that he had remained committed to the development of the area over the years.
“My relationship with the people of Umunneochi did not start today. From my days as Governor, we have worked for our people in Nneato and other communities across Umunneochi. As your Senator, I have continued to attract projects and interventions to our communities,” Kalu said. He acknowledged that more work remained to be done and promised to intensify his efforts if given another mandate in 2027.
“I know there is still more to be done. I sincerely appreciate the support you have given me over the years, and I assure you that when I am re-elected, I will serve you even better and work harder for the people of Umunneochi and the entire Abia North Senatorial District,” he said.
The former governor described the ward-to-ward tour as an opportunity to take his stewardship directly to the people, listen to their concerns and understand their priorities.
According to him, effective representation must remain centred on the interests and aspirations of constituents at the grassroots.
“I have always believed that representation must be about the people. You gave me the mandate to represent you, and I have a responsibility to continue working for you. I will continue to justify that confidence through quality representation,” Kalu said.
A significant aspect of the engagement was the emphasis by local stakeholders on grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
Chief Calistus Okoli’s pledge to take the lead in mobilising supporters and protecting the votes, alongside the active participation of Hon. Uche Stanley Ebere and other APC leaders, underscored the growing political organisation around Kalu’s re-election campaign in Umunneochi.
During the engagements, Kalu was also assured of continued grassroots support from community leaders, political stakeholders, women and youths who participated in the tour.
The former governor has represented Abia North Senatorial District in the Senate since 2019 and is seeking another term in 2027.
The Umunneochi engagements form part of Kalu’s extensive ward-to-ward consultations across Abia North, aimed at strengthening his relationship with constituents, assessing development needs and consolidating support ahead of the 2027 elections.
