Chief Emeka Kalu has countered Old Bende Young Professionals’ rejection of Gov. Otti’s 2027 endorsement, warning against disrespecting elders and urging unity in Abia North.
…. Abia North senatorial hopeful urges respect for elders, warns young professionals against being used to destabilize the region
By All Facts Newspaper – Umuahia | 1st August 2025
The political temperature in Abia North has risen as Chief Emeka Kalu, a leading senatorial hopeful, has countered the position of the Old Bende Young Professionals (OBYP), who earlier disowned the endorsement of Governor Alex Chioma Otti for a second term by the Old Bende Progressive Union (OBPU).
Kalu, in a statement made available to All Facts Newspaper, declared that “80% of prominent Abia North sons and daughters have already endorsed Governor Otti both publicly and privately”, insisting that the young professionals’ opposition was misplaced, premature, and disrespectful to the region’s elders.
The political drama began when the Old Bende Progressive Union, led by Hon. Mascot Alex Ikwuecheghe and DIG Azubuike Udah (Rtd.), paid a solidarity visit to Governor Alex Otti at Government House.
The delegation, which included political stakeholders and community leaders, praised Otti’s transformational governance, citing his bold infrastructural projects like:
- Abia International Airport
- Abia Seaport
- Abia Industrial and Innovation Park
- Abia Sports City
Hon. Ikwuecheghe announced that:
“There is no vacancy in Government House from 2027 to 2031. None of our sons or daughters will contest against Gov. Otti because he has transformed Abia in just two years.”
The OBPU also resolved to champion and lead the governor’s re-election campaign in 2027, describing his administration as restoring the dignity of Abians.
In sharp contrast, the Old Bende Young Professionals (OBYP) issued a strongly worded statement, dismissing the endorsement as “null and void”.
Signed by Barr. Chima Charles Ogbonnaya and Hon. Chief Dike Chidozie Okwara (Dike Ohafia), the group argued that:
No formal meeting of Old Bende people had been held to discuss 2027 politics.
Mascot Ikwuecheghe’s living room meeting could not substitute for proper democratic consultation.
It was premature and presumptuous for Old Bende to endorse any candidate outside their zone.
The group even suggested that Ikwuecheghe had abandoned his legislative duties in Aba to meddle in matters beyond his mandate, warning that traditional rulers should not be used as political pawns.
The OBYP went as far as listing numerous qualified Old Bende sons and daughters who could contest for governor in 2027, including Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Dr. Uche Ogah, Elder Etigwe Uwa (SAN), Chief Chikwe Udensi, and Nkeiruka Onyejiocha.
Chief Emeka Kalu Fires Back: “Respect Your Elders”
Responding to the controversy, Chief Emeka Kalu criticized the OBYP’s public rejection of the endorsement as “disrespectful and divisive”, urging the youth to “inculcate the culture of respecting elders that Abia North is known for.”
He argued that the political reality in Abia North is clear:
“Eighty percent of prominent Abia North sons and daughters have already endorsed Governor Otti, publicly or privately. Some of these young professionals are aware of this, which is why it is wrong to run to the media instead of first engaging elders respectfully.”
Kalu further warned the youths against being used by politicians whose goal is to destabilize Abia North and Abia State at large:
“Those funding and using you today will abandon you when it matters most. Do not let yourselves become tools in the hands of people who will disappear at the first sign of trouble.”
He called on the young professionals to close ranks with progressives and support Governor Otti’s developmental drive, which he said “even the blind can see.”
The senatorial hopeful concluded by emphasizing that Abia North’s strength lies in unity and that the region must align with progress, rather than allow internal sabotage to derail Otti’s visible achievements.
As 2027 politics gradually takes shape, Kalu’s statement positions him as a bridge-builder between the political class and the younger generation, while also reinforcing Governor Otti’s growing support base in Abia North.
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