In a significant political intervention, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has issued a direct appeal to the people of Nigeria's South East region, urging a strategic shift in their voting patterns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Call for Strategic Voting Over Sentiment
Speaking at a political gathering on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Kalu cautioned against what he termed the "wastage of votes" on opposition parties. He emphasized that politics is a pragmatic game of numerical strength, not one driven by emotions or regional sentiment.
"The era of wasting our votes on emotional choices that yield no political capital is over," Kalu declared. He elaborated that every vote cast for a party that cannot secure victory is a missed opportunity for the region to gain influence in national governance. "A vote cast where it does not contribute to success is an opportunity lost at the negotiation table," he stated, framing electoral support as a crucial bargaining chip.
The 2027 Context and Peter Obi's Ambition
Kalu's comments arrive at a time when political alignments for the next presidential race are beginning to take shape. His message is seen as a direct appeal to the core supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate who finished third in the 2023 presidential election.
Obi, a former governor from the South East, has strong indications of running again in 2027, drawing significant support from the region and beyond. Kalu's argument suggests that continued support for opposition figures, while emotionally satisfying, may not translate into tangible developmental benefits or a seat at the table where federal power and resources are allocated.
Embracing Unity and the APC Platform
The Deputy Speaker's core recommendation was for the South East to "embrace unity and vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC)." This call is positioned as a pathway for the region to integrate more fully into the national political mainstream and leverage its substantial population for greater dividends.
Kalu's stance highlights an ongoing debate within Nigerian politics about the efficacy of protest voting versus engaging with the dominant national party structures. His warning underscores a belief that for the Igbo-speaking region to achieve its national political and economic objectives, it must play the numbers game more effectively by aligning with a party currently positioned to win.
The coming months will reveal how this appeal for tactical voting resonates with the electorate in the South East as the campaign for 2027 gains momentum.
