I Stepped Down For Labour Party, Not Orji Kalu, Says ECK

Former Abia North senatorial aspirant and founder of the ECK Foundation, Chief Emeka Charles Kalu (ECK), has dismissed claims that he stepped down from the senatorial contest at the request of Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu or in favour of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

Kalu said his decision to withdraw from the race was voluntary and driven solely by his desire to preserve unity within the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to a statement credited to the Deputy Speaker, who allegedly claimed that he approached him to step down for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, ECK described the claim as false.
“I took the decision to step down personally, voluntarily, and in the interest of peace and unity within the Labour Party. Nobody compelled me, negotiated with me, intimidated me, or persuaded me to abandon my ambition. It was a decision I made after carefully considering the greater interest of our party and our people,” said ECK.

According to him, his decision was intended to prevent internal divisions that could weaken the party before the general election.

“My singular objective was to ensure that the Labour Party went into the electoral process united, focused, and free from rancour and bitterness. I did not want an internal contest to create divisions that could weaken our collective strength going into the general election,” he added.

Emeka Kalu also rejected suggestions that his withdrawal could be due to an inability to challenge the incumbent Orji Kalu at the polls.

“And let me make this absolutely clear: 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. 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 asserted

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

He maintained that there was a clear distinction between voluntarily stepping aside for party unity and being forced out due to a lack of electoral strength.

“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. My decision was entirely mine, and I take full responsibility for it,” said ECK.

Kalu further said the move had strengthened the Labour Party in Abia North and across the state by placing collective interest above personal ambition.

“Indeed, I believe that this singular action has helped further unite the Labour Party in Abia North in particular and Abia State in general. 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.

ECK added that party members and stakeholders were now united under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti and expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

“Today, our aspirants and stakeholders are united under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, and we are determined to consolidate the gains of good governance and development in Abia State.

“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 stated.

The Labour Party chieftain urged political actors to stop attributing motives to his decision that were inconsistent with the facts.

“I therefore urge everyone to stop rewriting history or creating narratives that do not reflect the truth. 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, adding that he had no regrets over his decision

“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.

“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.

“My decision was an act of maturity, sacrifice, courage, and political responsibility—not weakness.

“The Labour Party in Abia North is stronger. The Labour Party in Abia is stronger. We are united, focused, and ready for 2027.”