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From Kenneth Udeh, Umuahia
Senator representing Abia North, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has thanked President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), party stakeholders and the people of Abia North, following his victory in the APC senatorial primary election.
Kalu, who secured the APC ticket for the 2027 National Assembly election after defeating his challenger, Philip Nto, by a margin of over 60,000 votes, described the outcome of the exercise as a humbling reaffirmation of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the party and the people.
The former Senate Chief Whip, now Chairman, Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDC), polled 65,651 votes against Nto’s 2,103 votes in the direct primary election conducted across the 57 wards of Abia North.
In a statement after the declaration of the results, Kalu said he was overwhelmed and expressed gratitude to God and the people for the support given to him throughout the process.
“Today, I speak with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God for His grace, mercy and the privilege of life and service to humanity.
“I remain humbled by the confidence reposed in me once again by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as its candidate for the 2027 Abia North senatorial election.”
He specifically appreciated President Tinubu, the national leadership of the APC, party leaders in Abia State, members of the OUK Movement and Reality Organisation, as well as party faithful and supporters for what he described as their steadfast loyalty and belief in a shared vision for the district.
He also thanked the people of the five local government areas that make up Abia North, including Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato and Umunneochi, noting that their support and prayers had continued to inspire him over the years.
Reflecting on his journey in the Senate since 2019, he said his representation had focused on giving Abia North a stronger voice in the National Assembly while attracting meaningful development projects to communities across the district.
According to him, his legislative contributions include the sponsorship of over 20 bills targeted at improving governance, security, education, infrastructure, industrialisation and economic growth in Nigeria.
Among the bills listed by the senator are the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act Amendment Bill, Armed Forces Act Amendment Bill, Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act Amendment Bill, Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Administration of Criminal Justice Act Amendment Bill, National Food Bank Establishment Bill, Tax Crime Commission Bill, NESREA Amendment Bill and the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill.
He also disclosed that he sponsored constitutional alteration bills aimed at granting concurrent legislative powers on railways and electricity to deepen decentralisation and fast-track national development.
“I have also consistently advocated stronger community policing structures and reforms aimed at improving security and governance at the grassroots level,” he stated.
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On infrastructure, he said his office had facilitated over 70 road projects spread across the five local government areas of the district through strategic partnerships and effective representation.
Beyond road infrastructure, he highlighted interventions in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, industrialisation and economic development.
“In the healthcare sector, our mothers, elderly citizens and vulnerable groups have benefited from free healthcare services through the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“In education, we embarked on the renovation and construction of over 100 schools, alongside the distribution of desks, instructional materials, free STEM textbooks, school sandals and uniforms for pupils across communities,” he said.
The former Abia Governor further revealed that foreign scholarship opportunities and overseas training programmes had also been facilitated for youths and women as part of efforts aimed at sustainable human capital development.
According to him, leadership should be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens and future generations.
“For me, leadership must always be about building a stronger tomorrow for our people. It should be about creating opportunities for the child in Isu, Amanagwu Arochukwu, Ndi Ibe Ohafia, Ndi Inyang Abam, Ezeukwu Bende, Nneato Umunneochi, Uturu in Isuikwuato and every other community in Abia North to have a brighter future,” he said.
He also pointed to the ongoing industrial and investment-driven projects in the district, including the completed Cashew Processing Factory in Igbere, as well as the ongoing Solar Panel Factory and Keke Manufacturing Plant projects, which he said were aimed at creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
He added that thousands of women and youths across the district had benefited from empowerment initiatives involving the distribution of tools, equipment and support materials to improve livelihoods and encourage self-reliance.
He further noted that interventions had equally been carried out in erosion and flood-prone communities within the district to mitigate environmental challenges affecting residents.
While appreciating the APC for the opportunity to fly the party’s flag once again, he assured constituents that he remained committed to delivering greater development and effective representation if re-elected in 2027.
“While I appreciate our great party for this trust and honour, I look forward to an even greater trust from the people of Abia North in the days ahead.
“Together, we will continue to build a more prosperous, united and progressive Abia North,” he said.
