Traditional rulers in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State have expressed support for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s return to the Senate, while commending his constituency engagements and empowerment initiatives across Abia North.
The monarchs made their position known on Thursday during an interactive meeting with Kalu as part of his ongoing legislative ward tour across the Abia North Senatorial District.
The meeting brought together members of the Isuikwuato Local Government Area Traditional Rulers Council, led by its Chairman, HRM Eze Faraday Chinekwe.
During the engagement, Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with traditional institutions and ensuring that community leaders are carried along in development initiatives within the senatorial district.
The senator also assured the traditional rulers that he would continue to visit the council whenever he was in the constituency.
He further pledged to include traditional rulers and their communities in forthcoming grant programmes and other development initiatives targeted at empowering residents at the grassroots.
In response, the traditional rulers commended Kalu’s constituency engagements and legislative contributions, expressing their collective support for his return to the Senate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The engagement came as Kalu continues to facilitate the Federal Government’s Conditional Grant Scheme for more than 5,000 nano-business owners across Abia North.
The grant programme, which was recently flagged off in Bende Local Government Area, is being implemented in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and is expected to cover the five local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
Under the programme, beneficiaries are expected to receive ₦50,000 each to support their businesses and strengthen their livelihoods.
According to the statement, the initiative is aligned with the Federal Government’s grassroots economic empowerment programme and forms part of Kalu’s constituency interventions as senator representing Abia North.
Beyond the grant programme, Kalu has also sponsored more than 50 students for further academic studies and training, including opportunities to study abroad, while his constituency interventions have also focused on infrastructure, education and agriculture.
Speaking during the meeting, the senator stressed the importance of maintaining regular consultations with traditional institutions, describing community leadership as an important component of grassroots development.
He assured the monarchs of his willingness to sustain engagement with them and support initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of their communities.
The interaction also provided an opportunity for discussions on economic empowerment, community development and the participation of traditional institutions in future government-supported programmes.
Kalu’s ward tour is expected to continue across Abia North, providing opportunities for interaction with traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders as the 2027 elections approach.
