{"id":233516,"date":"2025-08-01T08:02:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T08:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia-north-politics-kalu-warns-old-bende-young-professionals-against-being-used-to-destabilize-the-state\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T08:02:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T08:02:25","slug":"abia-north-politics-kalu-warns-old-bende-young-professionals-against-being-used-to-destabilize-the-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia-north-politics-kalu-warns-old-bende-young-professionals-against-being-used-to-destabilize-the-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Abia North Politics: Kalu Warns Old Bende Young Professionals Against Being Used to Destabilize the State"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North Politics: Kalu Warns Old Bende Young Professionals Against Being Used to Destabilize the State<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<h4 data-start=\"5657\" data-end=\"5832\"><em>Chief Emeka Kalu has countered Old Bende Young Professionals\u2019 rejection of Gov. Otti\u2019s 2027 endorsement, warning against disrespecting elders and urging unity in <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North.<\/em><\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_193074\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-193074\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-193074 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=1170%2C780&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Chief Emeka Kalu and Governor Alex Otti \" width=\"1170\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=420%2C280&amp;ssl=1 420w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=615%2C410&amp;ssl=1 615w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=860%2C574&amp;ssl=1 860w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/emeka-kalu-with-otti.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-193074\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chief Emeka Kalu and Governor Alex Otti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"kvezio kvezio-clearfix kvezio-post-inline kvezio-float-center kvezio-align-center kvezio-column-1\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Governor Alex Otti Is Transforming Abia\u2019s Economy \u2013 Chief Nwaobilor Speaks Out\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QnEsD0LfBHI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em><strong>\u2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North senatorial hopeful urges respect for elders, warns young professionals against being used to destabilize the region<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>By All Facts Newspaper \u2013 Umuahia | 1<sup>st<\/sup> August 2025<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Abians Are Saying After 2 Years of Gov. Alex Otti\u2019s Leadership! | Real Voices, Real Opinions\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C57m8e4XQA8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The political temperature in <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North has risen as Chief Emeka Kalu, a leading senatorial hopeful, has countered the position of the Old Bende Young Professionals (OBYP), who earlier disowned the endorsement of Governor Alex Chioma Otti for a second term by the Old Bende Progressive Union (OBPU).<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kalu, in a statement made available to All Facts Newspaper, declared that \u201c80% of prominent <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North sons and daughters have already endorsed Governor Otti both publicly and privately\u201d, insisting that the young professionals\u2019 opposition was misplaced, premature, and disrespectful to the region\u2019s elders.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The political drama began when the Old Bende Progressive Union, led by <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alex_Mascot_Ikwechegh\">Hon. Mascot Alex Ikwuecheghe<\/a> and DIG Azubuike Udah (Rtd.), paid a solidarity visit to Governor Alex Otti at Government House.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The delegation, which included political stakeholders and community leaders, praised Otti\u2019s transformational governance, citing his bold infrastructural projects like:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>International Airport<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>Seaport<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>Industrial and Innovation Park<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>Sports City<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hon. Ikwuecheghe announced that:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is no vacancy in Government House from 2027 to 2031. None of our sons or daughters will contest against Gov. Otti because he has transformed <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>in just two years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The OBPU also resolved to champion and lead the governor\u2019s re-election campaign in 2027, describing his administration as restoring the dignity of Abians.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In sharp contrast, the Old Bende Young Professionals (OBYP) issued a strongly worded statement, dismissing the endorsement as \u201cnull and void\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Signed by Barr. Chima Charles Ogbonnaya and Hon. Chief Dike Chidozie Okwara (Dike Ohafia), the group argued that:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"kvezio kvezio-clearfix kvezio-post-middle kvezio-float-center kvezio-align-center kvezio-column-1\">\n<div id=\"kvezio-178990-2029320026\" class=\"kvezio-container kvezio-type-image \" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/WPAdBlock\" data-adid=\"178990\" data-type=\"image\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" itemprop=\"url\" class=\"kvezio-link\" href=\"https:\/\/afnews.sumofunnel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Specil-Edition-of-Gov.-Alex-Otti-One-Year-In-Office-2024.pdf\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"kvezio-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.sumofunnel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/cover-1-scaled.jpg?w=1170&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"news paper\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>No formal meeting of Old Bende people had been held to discuss 2027 politics.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mascot Ikwuecheghe\u2019s living room meeting could not substitute for proper democratic consultation.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It was premature and presumptuous for Old Bende to endorse any candidate outside their zone.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The group even suggested that Ikwuecheghe had abandoned his legislative duties in Aba to meddle in matters beyond his mandate, warning that traditional rulers should not be used as political pawns.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The OBYP went as far as listing numerous qualified Old Bende sons and daughters who could contest for governor in 2027, including Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Dr. Uche Ogah, Elder Etigwe Uwa (SAN), Chief Chikwe Udensi, and Nkeiruka Onyejiocha.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Chief Emeka Kalu Fires Back: \u201cRespect Your Elders\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Responding to the controversy, Chief Emeka Kalu criticized the OBYP\u2019s public rejection of the endorsement as \u201cdisrespectful and divisive\u201d, urging the youth to \u201cinculcate the culture of respecting elders that <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North is known for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He argued that the political reality in <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North is clear:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEighty percent of prominent <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North sons and daughters have already endorsed Governor Otti, publicly or privately. Some of these young professionals are aware of this, which is why it is wrong to run to the media instead of first engaging elders respectfully.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kalu further warned the youths against being used by politicians whose goal is to destabilize <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North and <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>State at large:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThose funding and using you today will abandon you when it matters most. Do not let yourselves become tools in the hands of people who will disappear at the first sign of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He called on the young professionals to close ranks with progressives and support Governor Otti\u2019s developmental drive, which he said \u201ceven the blind can see.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The senatorial hopeful concluded by emphasizing that <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North\u2019s strength lies in unity and that the region must align with progress, rather than allow internal sabotage to derail Otti\u2019s visible achievements.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As 2027 politics gradually takes shape, Kalu\u2019s statement positions him as a bridge-builder between the political class and the younger generation, while also reinforcing Governor Otti\u2019s growing support base in <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>North.<\/p>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/afnews.ng\/abia-north-politics-kalu-warns-old-bende-young\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Abia North Politics: Kalu Warns Old Bende Young Professionals Against Being Used to Destabilize the State Chief Emeka Kalu has countered Old Bende Young Professionals\u2019 rejection of Gov. Otti\u2019s 2027 endorsement, warning against disrespecting elders and urging unity in Abia North. Chief Emeka Kalu and Governor Alex Otti \u00a0 \u2026. Abia North senatorial hopeful urges [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":233517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[176],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-233516","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abia"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233516","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=233516"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233516\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=233516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=233516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=233516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}