A Baptist cleric, Reverend Samson Okoro Elekwa, has called on Labour Party candidate David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex and Uko Nkole of the New Nigeria Democratic Congress to withdraw from the 2027 Abia North senatorial race and support former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress.

Elekwa said his position was based on what he described as Kalu’s record of representation and projects across the Abia North Senatorial District, particularly in road infrastructure, education and human capital development.

Speaking to journalists, the cleric argued that voters should assess political candidates based on their records and the impact of projects delivered in their communities.

“I honestly wonder what those campaigning against Orji Uzor Kalu are looking at. Politics should not prevent us from acknowledging development when we see it. Look at what Kalu has done across Abia North and compare it with what we had before him,” Elekwa said.

He compared Kalu’s current representation with the lengthy tenures of previous senators from the district, including Enyinnaya Abaribe and the late Uche Chukwumerije.

“If Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could remain in the National Assembly for about 20 years and the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije represented Abia North for 12 years, then I see no reason our people should be talking about replacing a senator who, in my assessment, has delivered tremendously for the district,” he said.

Elekwa said Kalu’s supporters should seek to retain him for as long as he remained willing and capable of serving, pointing to projects and youth-focused initiatives he attributed to the senator.

He specifically mentioned road interventions in Ndi Orieke in Ohafia Local Government Area and Amannagwu in Arochukwu Local Government Area, alongside projects in other communities across the district.

“The road in Ndi Orieke, Ohafia, and the one in Amannagwu, Arochukwu, are just a few among the many projects Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has brought to our people,” Elekwa said.

“He didn’t just talk; he acted. These roads have opened up our communities and helped our farmers, traders and transporters. For me, this is real empowerment because infrastructure continues to serve the people long after the politics is over.”

The cleric also named Atan Abam, Alayi, Ezeukwu, Ndi Inya Abam, Isu, Umuzomgbo, Itumbauzo, Okoko Item, Nneato, Akanu Ohafia and Abia Ohafia among communities he said had benefited from Kalu’s representation.

Beyond infrastructure, Elekwa pointed to investments associated with Kalu in Abia State, including a university project, hostels and factories. He said such investments could contribute to employment and economic activity, particularly for young people.

“Kalu is not only building roads; he is building hope, restoring pride and creating opportunities for another generation. We must acknowledge and protect this legacy,” he said.

Elekwa also criticised what he described as attempts to frame the senatorial contest around sectional or clannish considerations. He referenced controversies surrounding Bourdex’s tenure as caretaker chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area, although he did not provide further details in his remarks.

The cleric said residents in other parts of Abia had taken note of what he described as the level of federal intervention in Abia North, suggesting that communities in Abia South and Abia Central would also welcome similar projects.

He therefore appealed to Bourdex and Nkole to place the interests of the district above their individual political ambitions.

“My appeal to Bourdex and Nkole is simple: step down and support Orji Uzor Kalu. Abia North should consolidate on the development already taking place rather than allow political differences to distract us from what is working,” Elekwa said.

He maintained that the South-East required political leaders capable of combining legislative influence with grassroots representation and development initiatives.

The 2027 senatorial contest is expected to attract significant political interest in Abia North, with candidates from different political parties positioning themselves ahead of the election.

Elekwa urged voters in the district to scrutinise the records, programmes and contributions of all contenders before making their choice, while maintaining that Kalu’s record, in his assessment, provided the strongest case for his continued representation.