2027: Orji Kalu’s Track Record Will Speak for Him in Abia North, He Has No Rival — Cleric

A cleric, Rev. Okoro Elekwa, has stated that the accomplishments of former Abia State governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, will count strongly in his favour ahead of the 2027 elections, maintaining that he presently has no genuine competitor in the zone.

Rev. Elekwa, a Baptist Church minister, said leadership should be assessed by tangible impact on the lives of the people rather than political talk, adding that other political actors in Abia North lack a comparable record of people-oriented governance.
Reflecting on governance in Abia State, the cleric said the period between 1999 and 2007, when Kalu served as governor, remains a benchmark for effective leadership in the state.
“At a time when many Nigerians are frustrated and disappointed with leadership, it is important to recall that there was a period when governance truly worked in Abia State,” Elekwa said.
He referenced data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that Abia State recorded the second-lowest poverty rate in Nigeria in 2003–2004, at 40.9 percent, second only to Oyo State. According to him, this placed Abia ahead of Lagos State, Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory at the time.
Rev. Elekwa attributed the achievement to deliberate policies and decisive actions, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, health, education and social welfare.
He recalled that during Kalu’s administration, every local government was mandated to cultivate cassava, boosting food production and supporting farmers. The introduction of improved oil palm seedlings increased palm oil output, while programmes promoting cassava-based products encouraged local manufacturing and reduced dependence on imports.
In the health sector, he noted that hospitals and primary healthcare centres were constructed and rehabilitated, alongside regular medical outreach programmes that extended services to rural communities.
According to the cleric, education also received significant attention, with schools built and renovated, teachers paid promptly, learning materials supplied and scholarship schemes introduced. He added that technical and vocational education was promoted to equip young people for self-reliance.
Rev. Elekwa further cited extensive road construction and rehabilitation across Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia, Bende and other parts of the state, noting that the projects opened up rural areas, improved transportation and supported economic activities.
He also highlighted investments in rural electrification, water projects and public buildings, as well as the growth of sports in Abia State under Kalu’s leadership. He said the continental success of Enyimba Football Club brought pride and international recognition to the state.
While acknowledging that no leader is without shortcomings, the cleric said Kalu’s time in office produced visible and lasting outcomes that many Abians still remember.
“Orji Uzor Kalu did not merely occupy office; he delivered results that people could see and feel,” Elekwa said. “That is why his record will speak for him in 2027. In Abia North today, he has no competitor with a comparable track record.”
Rev. Elekwa urged current and aspiring leaders to draw lessons from that era, stressing that leadership must go beyond promises and slogans to deliver genuine improvements in the lives of the people.