Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the South East to ensure it fully integrates into Nigeria’s mainstream political structure, warning that the region cannot afford to miss the benefits that come with national alignment.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Kalu revealed that President Bola Tinubu expressed disappointment after securing only 4% of the total votes in Abia State during the 2023 presidential election, despite the presence of many influential APC members in the state.

“The South East as a whole has to belong where other Nigerians are sitting,” Kalu stated, emphasizing the need for the region to strengthen its political positioning.

He appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia to unite and work towards delivering victory for the party in the 2027 elections. Kalu said the stakeholders’ meeting he recently hosted at his Abuja residence was aimed at fostering unity within the Abia APC and galvanizing support for the party, clarifying that Abia State Governor Alex Otti was not a subject of discussion at the meeting.

Addressing speculations, Kalu maintained that he does not publicly criticize his successors, stressing that the electorate alone reserves the right to assess and decide on the performance of their leaders.

Recalling previous election outcomes, Kalu noted: “For example, in 2019 when I joined the APC, President Buhari secured 68% in our constituency. But President Tinubu only got 4% in the entire Abia in 2023. He was not happy with the political numbers from Abia. He has friends like me and others in the state, yet we could only deliver 4%. Even I found it hard to believe.”

Kalu’s remarks reflect growing concerns among APC leaders about the South East’s marginal participation in national politics and the need for strategic realignment ahead of the next general election cycle.