An Abia-born cleric, Rev. Chika Ubani, has thrown his weight behind the re-election bids of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging voters in the South-East to support their continued stay in office.
Ubani, who spoke with journalists in Aba on Friday, also called on the people of Abia South Senatorial District to back the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the district, insisting that equity should guide the distribution of political offices.
Speaking on the 2027 presidential election, the cleric said President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term have been strengthened by what he described as the opposition’s inability to unite behind a common agenda or candidate.
He urged the South-East to align with the President’s re-election bid, arguing that doing so would strengthen the region’s voice and relevance at the national level.
“The opposition has not been able to unite behind a common agenda or candidate. That reality has further strengthened President Tinubu’s prospects in 2027. Rather than waste our votes, the South-East should support his re-election so that our region can have a stronger voice and greater stake at the centre,” Ubani said.
On the Abia governorship race, the cleric expressed confidence that Governor Alex Otti remains the frontrunner for another term, alleging that the APC in the state has yet to build the cohesion needed to present a formidable challenge.
According to him, internal divisions within the party have weakened its chances of mounting a serious contest against the incumbent governor.
“The APC in Abia State has not demonstrated the level of unity needed to challenge Governor Alex Otti effectively. As things stand today, the party has not produced a governorship candidate with the political strength to dislodge the governor. Abians should therefore give Governor Otti another opportunity to consolidate on his administration’s programmes,” he stated.
Ubani also endorsed the re-election of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, describing the former governor as the most impactful senator the state has produced.
He credited Kalu with delivering road infrastructure, scholarship programmes, school construction projects, youth empowerment initiatives and other constituency interventions.
“In my opinion, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is currently the best senator Abia State has produced. In just seven years, he has delivered projects and opportunities that many people never witnessed over several decades. From roads to scholarships, school construction, youth development and human capital investment, his record speaks for itself. He deserves another term to continue that work,” he said.
The cleric also canvassed support for the APC candidate in the Abia South Senatorial District election, arguing that the district should embrace the principles of fairness and inclusion in the allocation of elective offices.
He maintained that no single local government area should continue to dominate the senatorial seat.
“The principle of fairness should guide our politics. It is not healthy for one local government to continue monopolising the Abia South senatorial seat. I believe the time has come for power to shift to another local government area, and I urge the electorate to support the APC candidate in the interest of equity and inclusion,” Ubani added.
