…Vows more projects for Abia North
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leadership, Abia State party leaders, and members of the OUK Movement and Reality Organisation for their support in the Senatorial primaries, where he beat his challenger, Mr Philip Not.
Uzor Kalu also singled out constituents in Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Umunneochi for their loyalty, saying: “Your love, prayers, support, and trust over the years continue to inspire me. I love you all deeply”.
Kalu had secured the APC ticket for Abia North ahead of the 2027 National Assembly election, winning the party’s primary in a landslide.
Kalu defeated his challenger, Philip Nto, by 63,548 votes, polling 65,651 to Nto’s 2,103 in the direct primary held across the district’s 57 wards.
The result was announced by the APC Primary Election Committee on Tuesday. Out of 72,028 registered voters, 69,441 were accredited, and 67,854 votes were cast.
Kalu, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission, said the outcome was a reaffirmation of the trust placed in him by the party and the people of Abia North.
In a statement issued on Tuesday on his official media platforms after the declaration of the results, Kalu said he was overwhelmed with gratitude to God and the people for the overwhelming support given to him throughout the process.
“Today, I speak with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God for His grace, mercy, and the privilege of life and service to humanity,” Kalu said in the statement.
Reflecting on his time in the Senate since 2019, Kalu said his focus has been giving Abia North a stronger voice and attracting tangible projects to the district.
He said he has sponsored over 20 bills covering governance, security, education, infrastructure, industrialisation, and economic growth.
The bills include amendments to the Cabotage Act, Armed Forces Act, Universal Basic Education Act, Electoral Act, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Other proposals include the National Food Bank Establishment Bill, Tax Crime Commission Bill, NESREA Amendment Bill, and the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill.
Kalu said he also pushed constitutional amendments to give states concurrent powers over railways and electricity to accelerate development.
On security, he said he has consistently advocated stronger community policing and grassroots governance reforms.
On infrastructure, his office facilitated more than 70 road projects across the five local government areas through partnerships and legislative interventions.
In healthcare, he said, mothers, the elderly, and vulnerable groups have accessed free services through the National Health Insurance Scheme.
In education, Kalu said over 100 schools have been renovated or built, with desks, textbooks, uniforms, and learning materials distributed to pupils.
He added that foreign scholarships and overseas training programmes have been arranged for youths and women to build human capital.
Kalu pointed to ongoing industrial projects, including a completed cashew processing factory in Igbere, and an ongoing solar panel factory and keke manufacturing plant aimed at job creation.
Thousands of women and youths, he said, have benefited from empowerment schemes involving tools, equipment, and support materials to boost self-reliance.
Interventions have also targeted erosion and flood-prone communities to reduce environmental risks, he added.
Kalu said leadership should be judged by its impact on ordinary people and future generations. “It should be about creating opportunities for the child in Isu, Amanagwu Arochukwu, Ndi Ibe Ohafia, and every other community in Abia North to have a brighter future,” he said.
He pledged to deliver more development and stronger representation if re-elected in 2027. “Together, we will continue to build a more prosperous, united, and progressive Abia North,” he said, closing with: “Abia North, mma-mma nu!”
