Ahead of the 2027 poll, former local government chairmen across party lines in Abia State have declared their support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu.
Operating under the aegis of the South East Forum of Former Local Government Chairmen, the former helmsmen declared their support during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Tuesday at Umuahia, Abia State capital.
Recall that the Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of the state, also served as the local government chairman of his Bende local government area 22 years ago.
Led by the former chairman of Umunneochi Local Government of Abia State, Dr. Frank Osita, the former chairmen said that they are ready to mobilize support across the state for the President. They also commended the Deputy Speaker for his achievements at the legislature and for setting up the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) meant to showcase the legacies of the President.
Speaking on their behalf, Osita said: “It is my great pleasure to present your former colleagues to you. We have come to identify with you. We have come under the umbrella of the South East Forum of Former Local Government Chairmen, a strategic platform designed to unite former grassroots leaders from the region. With you here is just the Abia State Chapter.
“Recognising the crucial role we play as local government chairmen and continue to play in community mobilization in governance and development at grassroots level, this forum seeks to harness our collective experiences, influence, and network for the greater good of the region.
“At the heart of our mission is a renewed commitment to align the South-East with the opportunities embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We aim to do this through meaningful engagement and partnership with the Renewed Hope Partners, a platform championed by you, our leader, the Deputy Speaker. This forum serves not just as a rallying point but as a think tank to drive inclusive development, policy alignment, and grassroots advocacy, ensuring that the region is not left behind in the national development conversation. We have come to be of use to you. We are grassroots leaders; we have the structure, and the idea you came up with to assist Mr. President is a very laudable one. We assure you that we will go to every nook and cranny of our various communities to assist in bringing our people and selling this idea that you’ve conceived for the interest of not just Abia State but Nigeria as a whole.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker commended the chairmen for their vision in setting up the forum and their support for President Tinubu. He said that as former local government chairmen, they possess a great wealth of experience in public service, encouraging them to take the forum seriously.
“Today we have something Nigerians are going to emulate, the Forum of Former Local Government Chairmen. If that’s not a great idea, I wonder what is. Its greatness is found in the fact that we will understand each other better, having walked on the same path. We will not be afraid to help each other, one for all, all for one. Twenty-two years ago, I was a local government chairman. You know me better. I was attending meetings with you. Some of us have served local government, states, and then federal. So in terms of wealth of experience, we are older. Age and experience have something it brings, and one of those things is the ability to remember that power is transient. So when you’re in charge, be careful. Treat people with mutual respect because you will meet them soon out there. I’m happy that you’ve agreed to come together under one umbrella. Your wealth of experience cannot be wasted. Experience begets knowledge. I came out from the grassroots. I’m a believer in grassroots, and I’m returning to the grassroots. Who are the grassroots leaders without the chairmen? You control the grassroots. Take this forum seriously. We are going to do it for the whole of the South East to increase votes for Mr. President. No man can do it alone, that’s why he’s extending his hand of partnership; let’s do it together and better the South East. My office and Renewed Hope Partners want to partner with you.”
In another separate meeting with former local government chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, led by Hon. Chinedu Iboko, Kalu also said that the time has come for every spirited Abian to work collectively, irrespective of party affiliation, for the common purpose of lifting the State.
He said, “Let me thank you for looking beyond party to come and identify and appreciate your brother. You look at the similarity of purpose, our needs are similar, for which we will all pursue similar solutions. Thank you for living above political party flags, and coming as a brother. Benjamin is our brother, and he’s occupying this position now; we must give him support. I want to showcase you to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Having led your party at the local government level, you’re a grassroots leader. The President will like to work with you. The Renewed Hope Partners will like to work with you. You will be part of decision makers in those local government areas. We need you. We need your followers. There’s battle ahead, and we will win. With God, all things are possible. Look at what happened in the stadium in Bende. We were expecting 9,000 people and got over 20,000. We are ready to work. We are welcoming you to our Renewed Hope Partners as a group of Mr. President,” Kalu said.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Iboko, commended the Deputy Speaker for championing the bill that birthed the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for giving assent to the bill.
