Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the Igbo ethnic group will no longer remain neutral in national politics, urging active participation at the federal center.
Speaking on Sunday during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Kalu emphasized that Igbos are “tired of sitting on the fence” when key national decisions are made.
“Igbo will not sit on the fence in 2027. Igbo won’t sit on the fence when the issue of politics is being discussed at the centre,” Kalu stated. “This is the time to be at the center. It’s someone at the centre who knows when issues of development are being discussed.”
He warned that remaining on the sidelines could lead to exclusion from critical opportunities, adding: “When you are sitting on the fence, everything would have been concluded before you jump in. This is what I have been telling Abia people not to sit on the fence or we miss out of a moving train.”
Kalu questioned the developmental lag in Abia State compared to others, asking: “Why is it that Abia is moving back when other states are going to the front?”
The Deputy Speaker also commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing infrastructural projects in the Southeast and appointing individuals from the region to key positions, describing these as incentives for greater Igbo engagement with the federal government.
