Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has issued a strong warning to the people of Nigeria's South East region ahead of the 2027 general elections. He cautioned against what he termed a "wastage of votes" on opposition political parties.
A Call for Strategic Political Investment
Kalu made his remarks on Saturday, January 10, 2026, during the South East APC Stakeholders Meeting held in Enugu. He emphasized that for the Igbo people to regain influence at the federal level, they must embrace unity and form strategic political alliances within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He argued that politics is fundamentally a numbers game, not one driven by sentiment. "The era of wasting our votes on emotional choices that yield no political capital is over," Kalu stated. "A vote cast where it does not contribute to success is an opportunity lost at the negotiation table."
The Path to Relevance: Support Tinubu and Southern Unity
The Deputy Speaker stressed that political dividends are earned, not given. "We cannot ask for dividends where we have not invested. The vote in your hand is your currency for investment," he told the audience. He positioned a strong, united Southern political corridor as essential for the continued success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and, by extension, the South East's future prospects.
Kalu warned that fracturing the existing Southern alliance would leave the region politically isolated and numerically weak. He urged Ndigbo to continue supporting the South West and President Tinubu to build trust, foster reciprocity, and secure a seat at the national decision-making table.
Defending Reforms and Mobilizing the Party
During his address, Kalu also defended the Tinubu administration's tough economic reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate. He acknowledged the pain but called them necessary, claiming the country is now beginning to see the fruits of that "steadfast leadership."
He commended the APC Governors of Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu states for strengthening the party in the region. Kalu described the ongoing APC electronic membership registration as a critical exercise that will determine the zone's influence within the party nationally. "Membership numbers translate directly to political power. They determine delegate strength, allocation of party positions and our bargaining power. We must not be found wanting," he warned.
He concluded with a direct appeal: "Ndi Igbo, let us be strategic. Let us invest our votes. Let us build the bridges that will lead us to the future we desire."
