Recent media speculations suggesting a political turf war within the South-East All Progressives Congress (APC) are entirely baseless. Specifically, the notion that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is vying for campaign supremacy with Governor Hope Uzodimma ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid is a demonstrable falsehood.
A piece recently published in a national newspaper, which attempted to cast aspersions on the Deputy Speaker by suggesting President Tinubu overlooked him in favour of Governor Uzodimma for the role of Renewed Hope Ambassadors coordinator, failed to grasp the political realities and the distinct roles played by key stakeholders. That article, written by an individual clearly oblivious to the facts, represents a desperate attempt to manufacture conflict where none exists.
A Clear Mandate, Not a Campaign Struggle
It is crucial to understand that the perceived “struggle for campaign supremacy” is a political fiction. Rt. Hon. Kalu, as a respected stalwart of the APC, has never harboured ambitions to lead a political campaign structure. His role is unequivocally defined: to leverage his influence, voice, and expertise to champion the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This is a duty he has pursued diligently and without apology since assuming office.
The logic employed by the earlier publication is fundamentally flawed. If one were to apply the same standard, the question must be asked: are other presiding officers of the National Assembly—who are also leaders in their respective geopolitical zones—currently leading political campaigns? The answer is clearly no. The attempt to equate the Deputy Speaker’s support initiatives with a personal aspiration for a campaign leadership role is a desperate move to conflate his efforts.
The Power of Independent Initiative
What the Deputy Speaker has done—and continues to do—is establish independent groups dedicated to adding value to the President’s vision. This is a continuation of the strategy he successfully employed before the 2023 elections when he partnered with colleagues to form the National Assembly Ambassadors for President Tinubu.
Now, deepening his support, Kalu has revived this initiative as the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP). This group, conceived and run on his own initiative, focuses on propagating the message and tangible deliverables of the President’s agenda since his assumption of office. There is simply no contest for a forthcoming campaign position; there is only concerted support.
Any potential contest for the headship of a political campaign, by constitutional design and party structure, would primarily involve the governors in the region, certainly not a contest between Governor Uzodimma and the Deputy Speaker, who are known to be working in close collaboration for the advancement of the APC and the welfare of the South-East people. There is absolutely no need for this orchestrated confusion.
The truth is that the Deputy Speaker is focused on promoting the President’s agenda, utilizing his vast network to galvanize support and drive positive change. This is not a zero-sum game; it is a vital contribution to the party’s overall success.
Dispelling the Myth of a Limited Political Base
The assertion that the Deputy Speaker lacks a political base outside his Bende Federal Constituency is another blatant fabrication. This claim is easily debunked by examining the political terrain in Abia State. The Abia political landscape vividly demonstrated Kalu’s widespread appeal when he took the Renewed Hope Partners to five local government areas—Ukwa West, Ukwa East, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma, and Obi Ngwa—between November 7 and 9, 2025, to inaugurate new executives.
Furthermore, any doubts about his influence were erased on October 5, 2026, during his engagement with members of the Renewed Hope Partners at Abia Hotels, Umuahia, where the venue was filled to capacity. The immense crowd that converged upon the Bende Local Government Area Secretariat on June 1, 2025, for the formal inauguration of the RHP is just one more indicator that Benjamin Kalu is, and shall remain, a political force and a source of pride for Ndi Abia that consistently attracts a significant following wherever he goes.
The Deputy Speaker has never solicited the President for political campaign roles, given the weighty legislative responsibilities that demand his cerebral acumen and utmost attention. He is working in seamless coordination with Governor Uzodimma and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who was recently named the Chairman of the Renewed Hope Ward Development and Empowerment Council. Kalu maintains blossoming public and private relationships with both governors.
Indeed, the idea that the Deputy Speaker is at odds with Governor Uzodimma is baseless. Kalu’s strong support was instrumental in superintending the processes that culminated in the emergence of a new state creation proposal (Anim State), a project of which Governor Uzodimma is a principal proponent. Kalu is a valued partner to both governors, as well as to other stakeholders, united in the quest to promote the President’s vision in the South-East and beyond.
These malicious, mischievous, and futile attacks against the Deputy Speaker must cease. Those instigating these calumnies should redirect their energies toward constructive service to the people and desist from tarnishing the reputation of a leader they have grossly misjudged. Kalu is focused on his job; he does not play to the gallery and requires no distractions from political opportunists.
