2027: Why I Refused to Respond to Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu – Gov Otti

• Governor Alex Otti chose not to respond to Deputy Speaker Kalu’s prediction about the Labour Party’s future, citing the unpredictability of power
• Otti emphasized that power belongs to God, stating it’s foolish to speculate about future political outcomes, particularly the 2027 elections

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed why he chose not to respond to a recent claim by the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Kalu had stated that Otti would be the last Governor of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia, predicting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over the state in 2027.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti explained that he decided to remain silent on Kalu’s remarks because he believes it is pointless to predict the future. He stressed that power belongs to God, not man.

“It is foolhardy for me to talk about what will happen tomorrow. I chose not to respond to Ben Kalu’s comment because I believe that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wills. I cannot sit here and say what will happen in 2027. I do not subscribe to playing God,” Otti said.

Meanwhile, Chief Okezie Usim, a chieftain of the APC in the state, warned members of the Labour Party against attacking the Deputy Speaker. Usim defended Kalu’s comments, pointing to an interview by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, who stated that the LP would take over power from the APC in Lagos in 2027.

Usim questioned the difference between Kalu’s Abia prediction and Rhodes-Vivour’s Lagos claim. “Only a hypocrite would praise Hon Rhodes-Vivour for his assertion but launch an attack on Hon. Ben Kalu for making similar predictions,” he argued.

He criticized the Labour Party’s response to Kalu’s comments, describing it as hostile and intolerant. Usim compared the reactions in Lagos and Abia, stating, “When Rhodes-Vivour expressed the desire to defeat and take over power in Lagos State, which is APC’s stronghold, nobody called for his head. The APC and their supporters took it in good stride and completely ignored Rhodes-Vivour.”

Usim further argued that it is troubling and anti-democratic for the Abia Labour Party to attack anyone who desires to take over from the LP Governor in 2027. “What is the sin of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in merely expressing his desire for his political party to replace the Governor in 2027? Why treat the two statements differently?”

He concluded, “If Hon. Rhodes-Vivour is praised for supporting the Labour Party to take over Lagos State Government House, why shouldn’t Hon Ben Kalu’s fearless claim of APC’s imminent victory in Abia State be commended?”