Abia State Governor Alex Otti has explained why he chose not to respond to a statement made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, who predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would unseat him as governor in 2027.
During a press briefing at Government House, Umuahia, over the weekend, Otti stated that he refrained from responding because he believes that power belongs to God, who gives it to whom He wills.
Recently, a viral video showed Kalu claiming that it would be an anomaly for him, as Nigeria’s number six citizen, to have another party, not the APC, governing Abia State in 2027.
In response to Kalu’s remarks, Governor Otti said, “I am not in a position to predict what will happen in 2027. I do not pretend to play the role of God.”
He emphasized that authority comes from God, not man, and noted that it would be unwise for him to speculate about the future.
Meanwhile, former House of Representatives member Hon. Sam Onuigbo has urged political leaders to avoid making comments or taking actions that could create tensions between Governor Otti and Deputy Speaker Kalu.
Reacting to Kalu’s declaration that the APC would take control of Abia State in 2027, Onuigbo, an APC leader representing the South East on the Board of the North East Development Commission, dismissed suggestions of a political rivalry between the governor and the deputy speaker.
He also made a strong appeal to Abia politicians to refrain from making inflammatory statements and to allow Otti and Kalu to focus on their good works and service to the people of Abia State.