Church Supported Peter Obi in 2023, Not Tinubu — Rev Ubani Explains Orji Kalu’s Abia North Victory

A Christian leader, Reverend Chika Ubani, has shed light on the reasons Senator Orji Uzor Kalu secured re-election in Abia North during the 2023 general elections, despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) failing to deliver victory for President Bola Tinubu in the zone.
Rev Ubani gave the explanation during a Sunday sermon, reacting to comments attributed to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who queried how Senator Kalu won convincingly while not “delivering” Tinubu in the presidential election in Abia North.

According to the cleric, the outcome of the presidential poll in Abia State and across the South East was largely shaped by the collective stance of Christian leaders, who agreed to support the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
“The church worked for Peter Obi in 2023,” Rev Ubani said. “Christian leaders across the board agreed to support Obi, which is why he performed strongly in Abia and other South East states.”
He explained that within Abia State, senior church leaders openly encouraged their congregations to vote for Obi from their pulpits.
“Even here in Abia, bishops passed messages during sermons urging members to vote for Peter Obi. Many clerics openly endorsed him, myself included,” he stated.
Rev Ubani added that the church’s position was largely influenced by opposition to the Muslim–Muslim presidential ticket.
“The church was totally against the Muslim–Muslim ticket. So it is wrong to question why Senator Kalu did not deliver Tinubu,” he said.
He further noted that many voters adopted a mixed voting pattern during the elections. “Most clerics advised their members to vote for Peter Obi for president, vote for Kalu for Senate, and make choices accordingly for other positions. That was the reality,” he explained.
Speaking on Senator Kalu’s political influence, Rev Ubani described the former Abia governor as a dominant force across the state and cautioned Governor Otti to be careful. “OUK is still dominant across Abia State. Otti is playing with fire,” he warned.
He also dismissed claims that the Labour Party could mobilise support for President Tinubu in the future. “LP will not vote for Tinubu. Tinubu should be wary of Alex Otti. Otti is alone,” Ubani said, adding that the APC should rather consolidate around Senator Kalu.
According to him, the APC in Abia State is now more united than before. “OUK, T.A. Orji, Ikpeazu, Benjamin Kalu, Emenike, and others are united. Abia APC is now together. The party’s chances are very bright,” he said.
Rev Ubani, who identified himself as an Ukwa man, concluded by commending Senator Kalu’s performance in Abia North. “Abia North should even loan OUK to us in Ukwa. He is doing exceptionally well in Abia North,” he said.