Kalu Applauds Otti, Promises Effective Representation, Greater Government Presence In Constituency

Hon. Ukpai Philip Kalu, the Action Alliance (AA) candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for what he described as the administration’s remarkable development strides.

Kalu said Governor Otti represents the “long-awaited breath of fresh air” that had eluded the people of Abia State for several years.

He also unveiled his development agenda and legislative blueprint, which he said would focus on inclusive governance, grassroots participation, youth empowerment, infrastructure development and effective representation.

Speaking during an interview, Kalu said his decision to contest the federal constituency seat was driven by his determination to ensure that government projects and legislative interventions have a direct and measurable impact on the people of Arochukwu and Ohafia.

He promised to actively involve community members, traditional rulers, women leaders, youth representatives and other relevant stakeholders in the planning, execution and monitoring of projects attracted to their communities.

Kalu said he would not support a system where constituency projects exist only on paper or are announced through the media without adequate community participation and monitoring.

“I will make sure that the village head, the women leader or the men leader are involved. If there is any project I am going to carry out, they will be involved so that they monitor the project because they are the community people driving the project,” he said.

Addressing concerns over his decision to contest on the Action Alliance platform, Kalu acknowledged that the party does not currently enjoy the same political structure or popularity as some of the larger political parties in Abia State.

However, he argued that the personality, credibility and acceptability of a candidate could be more important than the name of the political party.

According to him, political parties evolve over time, noting that some of Nigeria’s major political parties did not attain their present level of popularity overnight.

“AA is just a name. Likewise Labour or APC, all these things are just a name. What matters is the individual,” he said.

Kalu maintained that his relationship with the people of the constituency and his understanding of their needs would give him an advantage in the election.

Describing himself as a grassroots politician, he said his longstanding connections with the people remained one of the major factors driving his aspiration.

“I am a grassroots man and politician. That is what is going for me, and it puts me ahead of other contestants,” he said.

Despite his political affiliation, Kalu gave a positive assessment of Governor Otti’s administration, particularly its efforts in infrastructure and public transportation.

Kalu, who disclosed that he previously worked under the administrations of former Abia governors, Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu, said his experience in government had given him valuable insight into the workings of governance.

He said the Otti administration had adopted what he considered a different approach to infrastructure development and public transportation.

“I give him kudos,” Kalu said, adding that the governor had taken steps that, in his assessment, had improved transportation and road infrastructure in the state.

His comments came against the backdrop of the Otti administration’s transport reforms. The Abia State Government introduced its first 20 electric buses in December 2025 and commissioned an additional 20 buses in August 2026, with the government stating that the expanded fleet would serve intra-city and inter-city routes.

Kalu particularly praised efforts to improve connectivity across the state, saying the changes demonstrated what purposeful governance could achieve.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction with previous administrations in the state, particularly the years of PDP rule, describing their performance as disappointing from his perspective.

He, however, acknowledged that his assessment of previous administrations was a political opinion based on his personal experience and position as a candidate.

Kalu identified direct and regular engagement with constituents as one of the major pillars of his proposed representation.

He promised that, if elected, he would return to the constituency every month to hold town hall meetings where residents could directly question him about his activities and performance as their representative.

“I will be in Ohafia every end of every month to have a town hall meeting, because it's when you have a town hall meeting that you give effective representation,” he said.

He stressed that he would not become a representative who remains permanently in Abuja while neglecting the people who elected him.

According to him, the monthly town hall meetings would provide a platform for constituents to assess his performance, demand accountability and make their concerns known.

“They will ask me questions and I will answer them. They will assess me to know if I am up to date and if I am doing well or not,” he stated.

Kalu also promised to focus on policies and legislative interventions capable of improving healthcare, education, infrastructure and other critical sectors across Arochukwu and Ohafia.

He expressed concern that some legislative initiatives could pass through various stages without ultimately producing the desired impact on the people they were designed to benefit.

If elected, he said he would collaborate with colleagues in the National Assembly as well as relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that programmes and interventions meant for the constituency are properly pursued and implemented.

Kalu also highlighted his professional background as part of what he believes qualifies him for the legislative position.

He disclosed that he studied Urban and Regional Planning at the university and is a member/fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.

According to him, his background in town planning would assist him in carrying out his legislative and oversight responsibilities, particularly in addressing environmental and infrastructural challenges within the constituency.

One of the major challenges he identified is erosion, which he said is affecting several communities and roads, including areas around Elu Ohafia Market, Ebem and Amuke Road.

He promised to pursue relevant ecological interventions and work with other members of the National Assembly to attract appropriate funding and government attention to erosion-prone areas.

“I will use my profession and also with the help of my colleagues in the National Assembly to bring down what we call ecological funds that have not been coming down to Ohafia and Arochukwu,” he said.

Kalu argued that erosion should not be treated merely as an environmental problem, stressing that it could destroy roads, houses, markets, farms and other community assets.

The AA candidate also lamented what he described as inadequate government presence in some communities across the federal constituency.

He noted that several development initiatives in the area had historically been driven by community age grades and local associations rather than government intervention.

According to him, his objective would be to attract greater federal attention to Arochukwu and Ohafia through effective representation and strategic engagement with relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

“Personally, I will make an impact for government to know that Ohafia and Arochukwu exist,” he said.

For Kalu, representation should go beyond speaking on the floor of the National Assembly. He said it must involve regular consultation with constituents, attracting meaningful projects, monitoring their implementation and remaining accountable to the people.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the Action Alliance candidate is positioning himself as a grassroots-focused alternative, with his campaign message centred on youth empowerment, economic development, infrastructure, healthcare, education, environmental intervention and participatory representation.

He consequently appealed to the people of Arochukwu and Ohafia to support his aspiration, assuring them that their votes would translate into what he described as purposeful and accountable representation.