The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has appealed to voters in the South-East to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing residents in Abia State on Sunday, Kalu, who represents the Bende Federal Constituency, urged the Igbo electorate to avoid emotional decision-making at the polls.
He encouraged voters in the region to adopt a calculated and realistic approach to politics, stressing that electoral choices should be treated as strategic investments rather than symbolic gestures.
According to the lawmaker, forging solid political partnerships across the country—particularly with the South-West, President Tinubu’s home region—is crucial to achieving a future presidency for the South-East.
“I want us to acknowledge that this president has displayed strong leadership. Although his policies were difficult, he remained resolute and bold,” Kalu said.
“He stood firmly behind those decisions, and we are now beginning to see positive outcomes. Such commitment deserves recognition, and I am glad it is under an APC-led administration.”
Kalu cautioned against what he described as wasting votes for emotional reasons, insisting that political success is driven by numbers, not sentiment.
“Igbo people should invest their votes wisely. Casting votes where they do not contribute to victory only limits our bargaining power. You cannot expect benefits without first making an investment,” he explained.
He likened politics to business, noting that dividends only follow deliberate investment. “The votes in our possession are our political currency. When the time comes, we must decide whether to invest them wisely or squander them,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker urged unity within the southern political bloc, emphasizing that cohesion among southern regions would strengthen their collective influence nationally.
“When the moment arrives, I appeal to Ndi Igbo to make their votes count. From a political standpoint, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the platform where our votes will yield results. Let us put emotions aside and act strategically,” he added.
Kalu also maintained that President Tinubu has shown inclusiveness in governance, pointing out that the South-East has not been sidelined in project allocation or execution since he assumed office.
He reiterated his earlier claim made in May 2025 that the South-East would deliver more than 70 per cent of its votes to Tinubu in the 2027 election—a significant increase from the roughly 6 per cent the president received in the region during the 2023 polls.
What are your thoughts—do you believe President Tinubu can outperform Peter Obi in the South-East in 2027? Share your views in the comments.
