“Igbo must invest their votes, not waste them — Tinubu is our best option in 2027,” says Ben Kalu

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, has called on voters in the south-east to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, urging the region to approach the polls with political calculation rather than emotion.

Kalu made the appeal on Sunday in Abia State while addressing constituents in Bende federal constituency, which he represents in the National Assembly. He cautioned Igbo voters against what he described as “sentimental” voting, arguing that electoral choices should be guided by strategic interests.

According to the deputy speaker, votes are a form of political capital that must be deployed where they can yield influence and results. He said strong alliances across regions, particularly with the south-west, are essential if the south-east hopes to position itself for the presidency in the future.

Kalu praised President Tinubu’s leadership, saying the administration has taken difficult decisions and remained firm in implementing them.

He said the president stood by his policies despite initial challenges and that Nigerians are beginning to see positive outcomes. Kalu added that Tinubu’s approach reflects courage and consistency in governance.

The lawmaker also argued that political relevance depends on numbers, not sentiment. He said votes cast in ways that do not contribute to electoral success weaken a region’s bargaining power in national negotiations.

Kalu compared political participation to investment, saying dividends cannot be expected without prior commitment. He urged voters in the south-east to ensure their ballots translate into measurable influence at the national level.

He further said that backing Tinubu in 2027 would strengthen southern political unity and reinforce the region’s place within the country’s power structure.

Kalu stated that, in his view, President Tinubu has shown readiness to work with the south-east and has not excluded the region in project distribution or implementation during his time in office.

In May, the deputy speaker said he was confident the south-east would deliver more than 70 percent of its votes to Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.