The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Abia North Senatorial District in the 2027 election, Uko Ndukwe Nkole, has urged the incumbent Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to withdraw from the race and pursue the presidency instead.

Nkole, a former member of the House of Representatives for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, said Kalu, having served as Abia State governor and currently representing Abia North in the Senate, should seek a higher political office rather than return to the Senate.

Kalu, who has represented Abia North in the Senate since 2019, is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the district in the 2027 election. Nkole is the NDC candidate.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists at his country home in Abam Onyerubi, Arochukwu Local Government Area, Nkole urged Kalu to emulate President Bola Tinubu, who was Lagos State governor before subsequently serving in the Senate and later becoming president.

He argued that Kalu, who was Abia governor while Tinubu was governor of Lagos, should similarly seek the presidency rather than pursue another Senate term.

Nkole also called on the Labour Party candidate for Abia North, David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, to withdraw from the contest, arguing that legislative experience should be an important consideration for voters.

He said his 20 years of public service, comprising 12 years as a federal public servant and eight years as a federal legislator, had prepared him for the Senate.

“I want to expand my Midas touch I garnered in the House of Representatives to the Senate and from there ensure the actualisation of the many projects I facilitated that were not followed up for completion by my successors when my tenure elapsed,” Nkole said.

He added: “My footprints have not been matched. I urge Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to strive to actualise the projects in Abia North as much as he can and thereafter hand over the remaining to me in the next Senate.”

Nkole acknowledged the political standing and popularity of Kalu and Ogba, describing both as his rivals whom he respects. He also referred to their previous electoral contests.

He urged voters to cast their ballots and protect them through the collation process to ensure that their votes count.

On the 2027 presidential election, Nkole expressed confidence in the prospects of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, attributing what he described as challenges facing Obi to “man-made” factors.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address what he described as anomalies and challenges experienced during the Osun State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nkole said such measures were necessary to ensure a credible electoral process in 2027.