A coalition of political stakeholders from Abia State has purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship expression of interest and nomination forms for Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, urging him to enter the 2027 race.

The group presented the forms to Kalu in Abuja on Saturday, describing the move as a demonstration of confidence in his leadership record and performance at the national level.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, James Uko-Kalu, said the Deputy Speaker has distinguished himself through his contributions in the National Assembly since 2019.

“We are here because we recognise the invaluable contributions the deputy speaker has made to Nigeria’s legislative process, resulting in tangible developments,” he said. “From 2019 to date, we have followed his work closely and can attest to his outstanding performance.”

Uko-Kalu further described Kalu as a unifying political figure capable of driving progress in Abia State, citing his legislative track record and leadership style as key factors behind the endorsement.

In his response, Kalu expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that the purchase of the forms represents a strong call for him to step into the governorship contest.

However, he stopped short of making an immediate declaration, stating that consultations were ongoing.

“I have received it with gratitude, and within the next one or two days, after due consultations, I will make my position known,” Kalu said.

He linked the request to the broader policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the administration’s Eight-Point Renewed Hope Agenda and its emphasis on strengthening subnational development through federalism.

“You believe that if I come on board, it is because I share in the vision of the Eight-Point Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and his commitment to true federalism, which empowers subnational entities to drive meaningful development,” he stated.

Kalu also emphasised the importance of party unity, noting that the prospects of the APC in Abia would depend on the collective commitment of its members.

“Ultimately, the narrative of Abia must change, and we will continue to work collectively within the party to achieve that,” he added.

The development comes amid growing political activity ahead of the next electoral cycle, with stakeholders across parties positioning potential candidates and consolidating support bases in key states.