Former Abia State Governors, Senator Orji Kalu and Senator Theodore Orji, convened in Umuahia to plan on reclaiming power from Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the meeting on Friday, Kalu explained that the gathering aimed to unite political actors who served in the state between 2009 and 2023 to build a common political front.
The former governor, now representing Abia North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, suggested that the group, dubbed “The Team,” should be expanded to include all former political office holders in the state during the same period.
Kalu highlighted the group’s contributions to the development of Abia State during their tenure, stressing that their efforts should not be overlooked.
“Leadership is a relay race. I finished and handed over to Senator T. A. Orji, and he finished and handed over to Okezie Ikpeazu. So one person cannot come and say we did nothing and that we are not relevant. If we did nothing, where would our people be living now? Our meeting is not to discuss what cannot be said outside. Our main purpose is that one person must go down in 2027,” he said.
He urged members to stay committed to the mission, noting that the platform is bipartisan and welcomes allies across party lines.
A key moment in the meeting was a motion by former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, calling for the inclusion of all political office holders, including National Assembly members, who served between 2009 and 2023. The motion was unanimously approved by attendees.