A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Mr Emma Trumps Eke has described as baseless reports that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu is planning to run for governor of Abia State in 2027.

Eke, who is the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State in the National Population Commission, said the claims circulating on what he called an obscure blog was “baseless and politically motivated”.

In a statement he made available to journalists on Friday, he accused an unnamed “invisible politician” from Igbere of orchestrating the rumors to promote his younger brother’s candidacy for the Bende Federal Constituency seat.

Eke, an ally of the Deputy Speaker, clarified that he (Kalu) was focused on strengthening the APC and working to deliver results for the party and the President rather than pursuing personal political ambitions at this time.

“The political future of the Deputy Speaker will be determined by God and his political family.

“Whether he will run for Senate, governorship or return to the House of Representatives will be decided openly,” he stated.

He added that, “As the leader of the opposition in Abia, he should not rest but work hard to redeem the state.

“APC is daily harvesting great men of character and resources with the aim of winning the state for the party.”

He called for unity within the APC in Abia and dismissed “divisive rumours as distractions from the party’s goal of strengthening its position in the state ahead of the next elections.”

2027: Claims of Kalu running for governor baseless – APC chieftain, Eke