2027: ‘We’ll Fight Anyone Who Wants to Fight’ – Orji Uzor

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing the Abia North Senatorial District, has warned that he is prepared to confront anyone willing to fight in the lead-up to the 2027 general election in the state.

“We are not going anywhere. This is our state, and we will not run away from it. We will fight anyone who wants to fight. We desire peace, but we will not shy away from a fight, as we also know how to fight.”

Speaking at the OUK Movement, Reality Organisation, and APC Tripartite First Quarter Meeting held live at Camp Neye Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, he stated that the purpose of the meeting on Friday was to emphasise that there is no division within the party, as all actions taken by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu was done in unity with him. He added that he was part of the decision-making process that nominated all the individuals who were elected during the convention, and his presence was not deemed necessary.

The former governor of Abia State highlighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allocated substantial funds for the road development of the state, saying, “I’ll go to the Federal Ministry of Works to get all the documents; anyone who is paid will be publicly disclosed for your review. Abia ought to have free education now; no child should be out of school. When I served as governor, free education was available at both primary and secondary levels, and university fees were subsidised. In fact, Abia State University, Uturu, paid N7,000 for tuition which cost over N200,000 before I reduced it when I was governor.”

He recounted that during his tenure as governor, his focus was on Aba and Umuahia, working on all the roads in Aba and Umuahia, including roads to Iheorji, Igbere Street, Obohia, Ibadan Street and others.

On health, OUK, as he is affectionately called, claimed to have built all the hospitals in the state during his tenure as Governor, stating that what Governor Alex Otti can only do now is renovate these facilities.

Discussing the current petrol prices, Orji Uzor explained that the war between Iran and Israel, as well as the US, has further driven up fuel costs. However, he reminded the people that the APC-led administration has managed to stabilise the foreign exchange, reduce fuel prices, and bring down food inflation from 22% to 8%, while overall inflation decreased from 24% to 15%.

An advocate for State Police, Orji Uzor said the President has granted the National Assembly the mandate to enact laws for State Police, dismissing fears that governors might misuse the power, stating that no governor stays in power forever.

“If you are a governor and misuse the State Police, when your term ends, you will be tried for offences committed against humanity.”

He urged the people not to be intimidated or misled into believing that there is discord within the party, affirming that there is unity. He stated that those wishing to join the African Democratic Congress are free to do so, but he and others proudly remain in the APC and are confident of victory under the party.

He declared that APC will deliver a governor in the state, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all three senatorial seats, House of Representatives seats, and all House of Assembly seats stating that no position will be left unclaimed.

Expressing confidence that APC will sweep all votes in Abia, he stressed that unity within the party is paramount. He also emphasised that it is now Abia North’s turn to produce the governor and that it was time for action.

“Collectively, the people of Abia North will speak with one voice, and then you will see what we will do.”

He stated he was not intimidated by anyone, as he intends to contest for the Abia North senatorial seat unopposed, having achieved more than any other senator in the National Assembly.

“We have 109 Senators, and none has accomplished what I have, even those who have served as Senate President or longer tenures. I have built roads, schools, hospitals, and contributed to numerous empowerment initiatives.”

The event was notably marked by the support expressed for his re-election by various wards within the Abia North Senatorial District.

Present at the gathering were the APC State Secretary, Tohukwu Avajah; the State Woman Leader, Cecilia Erondu; Hon Ifeanyi Ogbonna; former Abia State House of Assembly Speaker and now Abia State Chairman of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Chinedu Orji; and various other distinguished stakeholders from the state, local government, and grassroots levels of the party.