Tag: Theodore Orji

Former Abia governors Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji held a strategic meeting in Umuahia on Friday aimed at consolidating political influence and challenging Governor Alex Otti. The gathering brought together political figures who served the state between 2009 and 2023, with Kalu describing it as an effort to form a united front. The Abia North senator proposed expanding the group, known as “The Team,” to include all former political officeholders from that period. He stressed that the group had played a significant role in Abia’s development and should not be dismissed. “Leadership is a relay race. I finished and handed over to Senator T. A. Orji, and he finished and handed over to Okezie Ikpeazu,” Kalu said. “So one person cannot say we did nothing or that we are irrelevant. Our main purpose is that one person must go down in 2027.” Kalu urged members to remain committed, noting that the platform is bipartisan and open to allies across party lines. A highlight of the meeting was a motion by Chinedum Orji, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, calling for the group to be expanded to include all former political officeholders, including national assembly members, who served between 2009 and 2023. The motion was unanimously approved. Earlier this week, Kalu also criticized Otti, saying the governor “overrates himself politically” and would require the support of key stakeholders to secure victory. The remarks followed Otti’s statement that he would support the Labour Party candidate in Abia North to challenge Kalu in the 2027 election.