“I Stepped Down Voluntarily, Not Under Pressure” — ECK Fires Back at Deputy Speaker

Former Abia North senatorial aspirant and founder of ECK Foundation, Chief Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, has rejected claims attributed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, that he was persuaded by the Deputy Speaker and the Ikwuishi community to withdraw his senatorial ambition in favour of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

Kalu, in a strongly worded statement, described the claim as unfounded, insisting that his decision to step down was entirely voluntary and motivated by his desire to preserve peace and unity within the Labour Party.

According to him, “Nobody compelled me, negotiated with me, intimidated me, or persuaded me to abandon my ambition.”

He explained that he personally arrived at the decision after weighing what he described as the greater interest of the Labour Party and the people of Abia North.

Kalu said his primary objective was to ensure that the Labour Party entered the electoral process united and focused, without internal divisions that could undermine its chances in the general election.

He, however, stressed that his withdrawal should not be misconstrued as an admission that he lacked the capacity to defeat Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in a general election.

“I respect Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, but I am equally confident in my political strength, grassroots support, experience, and capacity to compete and win,” he said.

Kalu maintained that he chose peace over personal ambition, stressing that voluntary withdrawal for the sake of unity should not be equated with being forced out of a contest.

“There is a fundamental difference between voluntarily withdrawing for the sake of unity and being forced to withdraw because one lacks the capacity to win,” he stated.

The former aspirant further argued that his decision had contributed to strengthening the Labour Party in Abia North and across the state, saying it demonstrated the capacity of its members to place collective interests above personal ambitions.

He expressed confidence that Labour Party stakeholders and aspirants would remain united under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu said the party was determined to consolidate what he described as the gains of good governance and development in the state, while working to strengthen its political structure across Abia.

He also declared that the Labour Party would approach the 2027 elections as “a strong, united and formidable family,” with the objective of dislodging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia North and consolidating Labour’s position across the state.

The ECK Foundation founder urged political actors to desist from what he described as attempts to rewrite the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal from the senatorial race.

“My political decisions are mine to make, and I will always make them based on what I believe is best for our people and our party,” he said.

Kalu said he had no regrets about his decision, describing it as an act of political maturity, sacrifice and responsibility rather than weakness.

“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,” he declared.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the Labour Party, saying: “The Labour Party in Abia North is stronger. The Labour Party in Abia is stronger. We are united, focused, and ready for 2027.”

Chief Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu

Former Senatorial Aspirant, Abia North

Founder, ECK Foundation