Why I Extended Invitation to Gov. Otti to Join APC - Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu Opens Up

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has revealed the real reason he extended an invitation to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the move was driven by friendship, party interest, and a broader political vision for Abia State.

Speaking to journalists at his residence in Bende Local Government Area on Friday, Kalu dismissed reports suggesting that he is blocking Governor Otti from joining the APC, describing such claims as false narratives being pushed by political interests uncomfortable with the ongoing realignments in Abia politics.

"Even the narrative that I want to block him from coming to APC is not true. If I was self-centered, I would have blocked him, but here I am the one inviting him,ÔÇØ Kalu said.

Governor Otti has on several occasions, publicly stated that he has no intention of joining the APC, maintaining his position clearly and consistently.

Governor Otti has often drawn inspiration from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Tinubu spent many years as the leader of the opposition before eventually becoming President of Nigeria, an example Otti uses to explain why remaining outside the ruling party does not weaken a leader's relevance or effectiveness.

Political analysts believe this comparison has deepened the conversation about whether political strength must always align with the ruling party, especially at the state level.

The Deputy Speaker also revealed that his ongoing APC membership drive in Abia State led to the defection of former Governor Senator Theodore Orji to the party, a move that quietly shifted the political balance in the state.

Observers say this development signals a strategic restructuring of the APC in Abia, ahead of future elections, with Kalu playing a key coordination role.

Kalu used the opportunity to clarify speculations about his political future, stating that his main interest is development, particularly in Bende Federal Constituency, rather than chasing executive office.

He added that any decision about future ambition would be left to the APC and the people of Abia State, not personal calculations.

Reiterating his long-standing advocacy, Kalu renewed calls for the creation of one additional state in the South-East, describing it as a necessary step toward equity, unity, and national balance.

He also dismissed reports that federal road projects he attracted to Bende had been abandoned, insisting that work is ongoing despite visible delays.

Kalu's remarks have once again placed Abia's political future at the center of national attention, as debates continue over party alignment, opposition politics, and the strategic direction of the state.