I stepped down voluntarily, not because I feared Orji Kalu — Emeka Kalu

Jeremiah Adeshina

Former Labour Party senatorial aspirant for Abia North, Chief Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, has dismissed claims that he was persuaded or pressured by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives of Nigeria, Benjamin Kalu and another party stakeholder, Ikwuishi, to withdraw from the race in favour of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

Kalu, who is also the Founder of ECK Foundation, said his decision to step down was entirely voluntary and motivated by his desire to preserve peace, unity and cohesion within the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement reacting to the claim attributed to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu said there was a need to set the records straight, insisting that nobody compelled, intimidated, negotiated with or persuaded him to abandon his senatorial ambition.

According to him, he personally took the decision after carefully considering what he described as the greater interest of the Labour Party and the people of Abia State.

“My decision to step down must never be interpreted as an admission that I could not defeat Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in a general election,” he said.

Kalu maintained that while he respected Orji Uzor Kalu, he remained confident in his own political strength, grassroots support, experience and capacity to compete successfully in an election.

“I stepped down because I chose peace over personal ambition—not because I was afraid of the contest,” he declared.

The former aspirant stressed that there was a fundamental difference between voluntarily withdrawing from a political contest in the interest of unity and being forced to withdraw because of an alleged inability to win.

“My decision was entirely mine, and I take full responsibility for it,” he stated.
Kalu explained that his primary concern was to prevent an internal contest from creating divisions that could weaken the Labour Party ahead of the general election.

He said his decision was intended to ensure that the party entered the electoral process as a united political family, rather than allowing personal ambitions to generate rancour and bitterness among members and stakeholders.

According to him, the decision has subsequently contributed to strengthening the Labour Party in Abia North and the state as a whole.

He said the development demonstrated that the party could rise above individual interests and remain focused on the larger objective of serving the people.

“By putting the collective interest ahead of personal ambition, we have demonstrated that the Labour Party can rise above individual interests and remain focused on the bigger picture,” he said.

Kalu further said that Labour Party aspirants and stakeholders in Abia were now united under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti and were committed to consolidating what he described as the gains of good governance and development in the state.

He expressed optimism that the party would approach the 2027 elections with greater unity, strength and determination.

“Come 2027, we will go into the election as a strong, united and formidable Labour Party family, and together, we will work tirelessly to flush the APC out of Abia North and strengthen Labour Party’s position across Abia State,” he said.

The former senatorial aspirant also urged political stakeholders and members of the public to desist from presenting what he described as inaccurate narratives about his withdrawal from the contest.

He insisted that his political decisions remained his personal responsibility and would continue to be guided by what he considered to be the best interests of the people and his political party.

“I have absolutely no regrets about choosing peace. Leadership is not always about insisting on one’s personal ambition; sometimes, true leadership is having the courage to make sacrifices for the greater good,” he said.

Kalu emphasised that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as political weakness, defeat or lack of confidence in his ability to win an election.

He declared: “Let the records be clear: I stepped down by my own decision, for the sake of Labour Party unity and a rancour-free political process. I was not pushed out. I was not intimidated. I was not bought over. And I was certainly not convinced that I could not win.”

Describing the decision as an act of maturity, sacrifice, courage and political responsibility, Kalu said he remained committed to the Labour Party and its political objectives in Abia State.

He expressed confidence that the party would emerge stronger as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
“The Labour Party in Abia North is stronger. The Labour Party in Abia is stronger. We are united, focused, and ready for 2027,” he declared.

Kalu called on party members, supporters and stakeholders to remain focused on the collective interest and work together to strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the next general elections.

He concluded with a call for unity, saying, “Forward ever. Together we shall prevail.”