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A Baptist cleric, Reverend Samson Okoro Elekwa, has urged Labor Party candidate, David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, and Uko Nkole of the NDC to resign and support Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Abia North senatorial seat.
Elekwa said Senator Kalu’s record of representation and development across Abia North set him apart, arguing that the district should consolidate on what he described as the senator’s achievements rather than changing course.
Speaking to reporters, the cleric said his position was informed by projects and interventions attracted by communities across the senatorial district, particularly in road construction, education and human capital development.
He also criticized Bourdex’s candidacy, saying the Senate should not be reduced to what he described as clan politics. He also referred to controversies surrounding Bourdex’s time as acting chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area.
“I honestly wonder what those campaigning against Orji Uzor Kalu are looking at. Politics should not stop us from recognizing development when we see it. Look at what Kalu has done in Abia North and compare it to what we had before him,” Elekwa said.
“If Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could remain in the National Assembly for about 20 years and the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije represented Abia North for 12 years, then I see no reason why our people should talk about replacing a senator who, in my judgment, has given extraordinary results for the district.
“Abia North should ask Kalu to continue as long as he remains willing and able to deliver. The number of young people who have benefited from his human capacity building initiatives and the road and school projects attracted under his representation speak for themselves.”
Elekwa described Kalu as “Abia’s greatest gift from God” and “a divine instrument” through which, he said, communities across Abia North were witnessing development.
He cited road projects in Ndi Orieke, Ohafia Local Government Area and Amannagwu in Arochukwu LGA, along with several other road interventions across the senatorial district.
“The road in Ndi Orieke, Ohafia, and the road in Amannagwu, Arochukwu, are some of the many projects that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has brought to our people,” he said.
“He didn’t just talk; he acted. These roads have opened up our communities and helped our farmers, merchants and truckers. To me, that’s truly empowering because infrastructure continues to serve people long after politics is over.”
The cleric also listed Atan Abam, Alayi, Ezeukwu, Ndi Inya Abam, Isu, Umuzomgbo, Itumbauzo, Okoko Item, Nneato, Akanu Ohafia and Abia Ohafia among the communities he said benefited from Kalu’s representation.
According to him, Kalu’s interventions extend beyond public infrastructure to investments that can create jobs and expand economic opportunities in the state.
He pointed to the senator’s investments in Abia, including an ongoing university project, hostels and factories, describing them as evidence of Kalu’s long-term commitment to the state’s economic development and employment opportunities for youth.
“Kalu is not just building roads; he is building hope, restoring pride and creating opportunities for another generation. We must recognize and protect this legacy,” Elekwa said.
He argued that many residents outside Abia North similarly admired the quality of representation the district was receiving, saying people in Abia South and Abia Central wanted similar levels of federal intervention in their communities.
Elekwa consequently urged Bourdex and Nkole to put what he described as the wider interest of Abia North above personal political ambition and support Kalu.
“The Southeast needs leaders who can combine political influence with development and grassroots representation. Senator Kalu has demonstrated ability, reach and commitment to his people.
“My appeal to Bourdex and Nkole is simple: step down and support Orji Uzor Kalu. Abia North should build on the development already underway rather than allow political differences to distract us from what is working,” he said.
The cleric further urged Abia North voters to evaluate candidates based on their records and tangible contributions to the district rather than feelings, insisting that Kalu’s performance remained the strongest argument for his continued representation.
