I Was Mocked When I Joined APC in 2016 as the Only Southeast Leader – Sen Kalu

• From Kenneth Udeh , Abuja

Chairman of the Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not rely on defections or sitting governors to win the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the party’s growing strength in the South-East is the product of consistency, sacrifice, and hard work.

Speaking during TVC News Journalists’ Hangout anchored by Babajide Otitoju on Monday, Kalu recounted how he was ridiculed and called names when he joined the APC in 2016 as the only political leader from the South-East to identify with the party.

“When I joined the APC in 2016, I was the only South-East leader in the party. People mocked me, called me names, and thought I was mad to have joined a party that had no governor or lawmaker from our region,” Kalu said.

“But I stood my ground and kept assuring the party leadership that it would be well. In 2019, I became the first senator elected on the APC platform from the South-East, and today the story has changed. We now have APC governors, senators, and House members across the zone.”

The former Abia State Governor said the party will not depend on political defections or the influence of governors to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

“We are not relying on governors or defections to win. We are relying on hard work. Politics is about commitment and results, not noise. We are on the ground and determined to ensure that President Tinubu and all APC candidates perform well in 2027, especially in Abia and across the South-East,” he stated.

Kalu expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu will record significant success in the South-East during the next general elections, citing growing public confidence in the APC-led government and visible development projects across the region.

“In 2019, President Buhari got over 60% of the votes in my constituency, Abia North. Tinubu didn’t do well in 2023 because we didn’t mobilise enough, but this time, we are ready. Our people are beginning to see the progress in roads and infrastructure. The President has opened up roads long abandoned, and he’s doing more,” Kalu noted.

‘South-East Not Marginalised, But Excluded Since the War’

When asked if he still maintained his position that the South-East has been marginalised, Kalu said the region has been “put out of the scheme of things” since after the civil war.

“I can always tell you that the South-East is not really marginalised, but we were put out of the scheme of things since after the civil war,” he said. “I didn’t start the war, I didn’t fight in it, neither did I end it. What we need is sincerity and equity so that we can all move together and develop the country.”

On detained IPOB secessionist Nnamdi Kanu

On the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Kalu urged Nigerians to respect the judicial process.

“Nnamdi Kanu’s case is before a competent court, and it would be unfair for me to comment on his release,” he said. “Justice Omotosho is handling the matter, and we should allow the courts to do their work. Nigerians must learn to respect the judiciary.”

The former Senate Chief Whip expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing it as a necessary process that will yield positive results despite current hardships.

“Reforms come with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nigerians are feeling pain, yes, but these pains will lead to long-term gain. I’ve already sponsored a bill on social welfare and investment to reduce poverty, and I’ll meet the President to fast-track it. We must show Nigerians that we have them in our hearts,” he said.

Kalu also highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements in the South-East, including federal road projects linking Enugu, Lokpanta, Aba, Port Harcourt, Bende, and Arochukwu.

“Before now, those roads were impassable. Today, they are being rebuilt. The President is doing a lot in our region, and I’m confident that the 2026 budget will reflect even more development for our people,” he added.