‘I Considered Otti My Friend Never Spoke Against Him’ – Orji Kalu Explains Fallout With Abia Governor

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Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, has formally announced his intention to contest against Governor Alex Otti in the upcoming elections, ending years of perceived political friendship between the two leaders.

Speaking from his country home in Igbere, Kalu recalled that he once regarded Otti as a personal friend and had refrained from publicly criticizing him. The senator, however, expressed disappointment over recent media statements by Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Okaoha, which Kalu claims unfairly attacked him for his support of President Bola Tinubu and commitment to delivering Abia State to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kalu Responds to Media Attacks

“The governor’s press secretary fired the first salvo, and I responded by saying that since I am with the APC, I will work for the APC to win,” Kalu explained. He emphasized that his loyalty to his party should not be interpreted as disloyalty to the state government.

“I have never criticized the state government. For two years, I considered the governor my friend and never spoke against him. But three days ago, the governor’s press secretary issued a statement against me. There is no governor who can claim that whatever his press secretary says does not reflect his position,” he added.

Questioning Otti’s Record

Kalu dismissed assertions of Otti’s remarkable governance, arguing that the governor had largely focused on rehabilitating roads built during Kalu’s own tenure as governor from 1999 to 2007.

“I don’t see any outstanding performance. What I achieved in two years as governor is still visible to everyone. The funds Alex Otti received in just four months equal what I managed in eight years. So what has he actually done? He is just repairing and rebuilding roads I constructed,” Kalu said.

He also criticized Otti for neglecting rural areas, contrasting this with his own record of creating new farmland roads and ensuring development reached local communities.

“As a senator, the roads I am building in local communities are completely new. I have not seen him even enter these areas. In two years, I achieved what many thought impossible in Abia State,” he noted.

Recalling Past Achievements

The senator reflected on his administration’s broader achievements, highlighting free education and healthcare programs. He cited praise from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who described him as an “action governor.” Kalu underscored that governance is measured by tangible results rather than social media narratives.

“I don’t follow all the noise on social media. Governance is not about social media; it is about actions taken at the right time and seen by the people on the ground,” he said.

Analysis: Implications for Abia Politics

Kalu’s statements signal a clear intensification of political rivalry in Abia ahead of the elections. By questioning Otti’s record while emphasizing his own accomplishments, the senator is attempting to rally support from both local constituencies and party loyalists. Analysts suggest that this public confrontation may shape the political discourse in Abia, as voters assess achievements versus promises and weigh party loyalty against perceived governance effectiveness.

The coming months are likely to see heightened political maneuvering as both Otti and Kalu mobilize support, setting the stage for a highly competitive electoral contest.