Kalu predicts 70%of Igbo votes for Tinubu in 2027.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has told President Bola Tinubu that the Igbo ethnic group will give him more than 70% of the vote in the 2027 election.
Kalu said it would be a way to thank the president for his commitment to Igbo land’s growth.
Kalu, in a statement published on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, stated that Tinubu has fulfilled the promise of rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reconciliation made by Yakubu Gowon’s military administration by establishing the South East Development Commission.
On Friday, the Deputy Speaker announced this at Ntalakwu, in Abia State’s Ikwuano Local Government Area, during a spectacular reception hosted by the Atuma Grace Movement, a political structure led by former House of Representatives member Emeka Atuma.
Kalu, who was also given the chieftaincy title of Dike Eji Aga Mba (the people’s warrior) by King Larry, the traditional monarch of the Ntalakwu ancient kingdom in Ikwuano Oboro, vowed that the South East would continue to back the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Kalu stated, “We are promising the President 70 to 80 percent of the votes from Igboland. Let us stay as people who value peace and harmony. No other president has remembered the commitment given to the Igbo people following the war, like President Bola Tinubu.
“Fifty years passed, administrations came and went, and none of them thought it was appropriate to keep the promises made to Ndi Igbo, and only President Bola Tinubu took it upon himself to say there needed to be a platform to reply to the recommendations given to Ndi Igbo.
“He chose the South East Development Commission, which no other presidents agreed to sign. He answered our issues, allowing us to improve the rural areas of Igboland. He signed the SEDC bill into law and funded it despite critics predicting he would not. He adores Ndi Igbo, and we Igbos cherish those who love us.
He continued, “On the public uproar that the authorities in Abia are impeding an interaction between traditional rulers and state officials, Kalu denounced the trend, saying it is an evil wind that blows bad for the people. I heard the traditional ruler cry as he indicated that the state authorities had advised him not to meet with the deputy speaker when we arrived in Bende.
“We heard that they were asked not to receive those from the federal government and not to attend any events endorsing President Bola Tinubu. This shouldn’t happen! The election has come and gone. Now it is time for government. Preventing traditional rulers from accepting presidential staff does not correspond with Abia State’s leadership ideals.
“Those who are threatening traditional rulers, please, we implore you, give them the freedom to carry out the mandate of the people. “Abia State should allow everyone to express where they want to belong and who they want to follow,” he stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the host, Emeka Atuma, welcomed the Deputy Speaker and stated that the All Progressives Congress is growing stronger in Abia state.