Former Chief of Staff to the Abia State governor, Mascot Uzor Kalu, has officially declared his intention to run for governor in the 2027 elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to deliver an inclusive, transparent, and people-centered administration.
Speaking at his declaration in Umuahia on Saturday, Kalu called for a “new era of governance” built on unity, transparency, and grassroots empowerment.
Reflecting on his decision not to challenge the outcome of the 2023 governorship election, Kalu said: “Though there were irregularities, I congratulated the winner because the people demanded change.
“I chose not to go to court, allowing the administration space to govern. But today, Abia deserves more progress, more inclusivity, and more truth in governance.”
Positioning himself as a reform-minded contender, Kalu noted that while the current government has recorded some gains, its performance has fallen short of expectations.
Outlining his core agenda, the APC chieftain pledged to fully implement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots.
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Also, he promised to open up the state’s financial systems to public scrutiny, ensure the prompt payment of salary, and dignity for civil servants and pensioners, and drive job creation.
Citing Abia’s unemployment rate of over 62%, nearly double the national average, Kalu described the situation as “unacceptable” and vowed to make economic revitalization a top priority.
“Our journey is not politics as usual. It is a call to restore empathy to leadership and give every Abian a reason to believe again,” he said.
Kalu urged party members, progressives across party lines, and non-indigenes to rally behind his vision to reposition Abia under the APC, saying his movement “transcends politics and is anchored on faith and resilience.”
He concluded his address with a rallying call:“Let us build an Abia that works for all of us, not just some of us.”
