Join Us in APC to Deliver Abia for Tinubu, Deputy Speaker, Kalu Urges State Lawmaker, Erondu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu,has called on the lawmaker representing Obingwa West Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Jnr. Erondu popularly called Igodo Igwe to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The Deputy Speaker made the call Saturday evening during his visit to Erondu’s residence to congratulate him on his successful constituency empowerment programme in Obingwa LGA of the State recently.

 

Kalu said that the lawmaker’s time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expired, stressing it is time for him to join the APC and contribute to the party’s growth and development.

 

Emphasizing that the APC has a bigger room for everyone, the Deputy Speaker urged the lawmaker to bring his team to join the party.

 

Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of the State also urged the people of Obingwa LGA to support the lawmaker and also join the Renewed Hope Partners, a group working to promote President Tinubu’s agenda at the grassroots level.

The Deputy Speaker’s call comes amid a significant growth of APC in Abia which recorded a huge number of registered members in the last e-registration exercise of the party.

 

He said: “My reason for coming here is because I promised my host, Igodo that I will grace his empowerment programme. But on that day, it was very difficult for me to come because of national assignments. I later called and told him I will still come. We have come a long way together. We were local government chairmen at the same time. Some said we were too young at the time but we persisted and today, we are making impacts. I came to congratulate him on the successful outing. I was monitoring virtually and I saw what you did. It was amazing. For a House of Assembly member to do what you did, it means you love your constituents. God will reward you. My message to ndi Obingwa is for you to continue supporting him for more democracy dividends.

 

“Another thing I want to say is this: my brother, we started this today before we all went different places. Igbo people have a saying that united stand, divided we fall. Igodo, your time in PDP has expired. And I know you as a very smart and intelligent person. Staying back in PDP means underdeveloping yourself and the potentials you have. It is about time to join the moving train. I have come to invite you ro join us and Mr. President in APC. You have tried in PDP. We were all there before we saw light in APC. My brother, I am here today to invite you and your solid team, come, let’s work together. The room is big enough for everyone and this is the right time to come in. You are a progressive. There is a lot for us to achieve there.

“I want you to join us in Renewed Hope Partners. They are those partnering with Mr. President to project Mr. President from the grassroot to the national level. When we harvest young minds like you who are energetic and progressive, we can penetrate deeper into the grassroots. They said there is no APC in Abia State but when our results came in for membership, it was huge. I urge Ndi Obingwa to come, let’s not be left behind. Let’s all join hands and deliver Mr. President to come back and complete what he has started.”

 

The Deputy Speaker also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies and agenda, saying they have positively impacted lives, stressing the President has shown courage in decision-making.

 

He emphasized that delivering Abia State for President Tinubu is bigger than his personal political ambitions, urging everyone to join hands to achieve the goal for the country’s continued progress and growth.

 

“Another issue is that we have a task. We must deliver the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come 2027. That task of delivering the President here in my area is bigger than my personal political ambition. And that is the truth because he has been good to me like a father and leader and I believe in his policies and agenda. I have seen the agenda of Mr. President impact lives positively. I have seen a courageous man in the President. He is bold to take decisions and those decisions, though criticized by the public are serving the public well today. It is not yet Eldorado. We are not yet there but the point remains that we are not where we started. We have moved and advanced. Our hope is that as the days go by, we will get closer to our destination.”

 

In his response, the State lawmaker, Erondu assured the Deputy Speaker of delivering the President in Abia State especially in Abia South Senatorial District, saying there is no need for any form of campaigns in the area.

 

“Your Excellency, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, I express my profound gratitude to you for visiting. Although you couldn’t make it to our empowerment programme, you congratulated me and pledged to visit on your return to Abia. Today, you have fulfilled that promise and I am not taking it for granted. For me, this is a covenant. I have known you for over 23 years and we have been working together. Let me also congratulate on your recognition as the Legislator of the year 2025 award. The recognition shows you are serving Nigeria well. We are very proud of you.

 

“Your Excellency, I heard the issues you raised and I will respond. You and I and Obingr people have come a long way. From our humble beginnings till now God has been elevating us. On behalf of these great people gathered here, I want to assure you that the reelection bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is non negotiable irrespective of party platforms. He is not contesting it with anyone here. Please, help us tell Mr. President that he should not bother coming to Abia South to campaign. I know that you and other political leaders from your Abia North can harvest votes for Mr. President. I also know that some of your followers which include 2 former Abia Speakers and others from Abia Central can gather votes for the President but for Abia South, don’t bother. Leave it for us. No second position in election. We will deliver Mr. President with a wide margin”, he said.

 

On his defection to the APC, the lawmaker promised to consult widely with his constituents and supporters before making a decision.

 

“On the second issue, I will consult with my brothers, sisters and followers and come back to you to say, this is what we have agreed with our people in less than no time. Let me also say that God will continue to bless and elevate you because I don’t think the place you are now is the best of all places God wants you to be now and not the best of positions that we will see from you”, Erondu stressed.