Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has emphasized that a strategic political alliance between the South-East and South-West is the most realistic path for an Igbo President to emerge in Nigeria.
He made this assertion during visits across Abia State’s three senatorial zones, engaging elder statesmen and APC leaders on party unity and the South-East’s role in national politics.
Kalu urged Igbo leaders and voters to move beyond sentimental politics and focus on calculated political investments, stressing that votes are currency that must be deployed where they count.
“What you play politics with is numbers, not sentiments. If you invest votes where they don’t yield results, you waste your opportunity at the negotiation table,” he said.
He highlighted that sustained support for the South-West, particularly under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, would build trust, inclusion, and reciprocity, ultimately positioning the South-East favorably for the presidency.
Kalu warned that breaking Southern unity through sentiment could weaken the South-East politically and hinder progress.
As part of strengthening APC structures in Abia State, Kalu met with former Senate Chief Whip and ex-Governor Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator John Bob Nwannunu, and APC chieftain Sir Mac Wabara.
Discussions centered on party cohesion, stakeholder alignment, and sustained collaboration to stabilize the polity.
Praising President Tinubu’s leadership, Kalu described his policies as tough but necessary, inclusive, and effective.
He also presented his two-year scorecard to elder statesmen and party leaders, inviting open evaluation of his performance and reinforcing his commitment to inclusive governance.