Orji Kalu Breaks Silence, Dismisses Gov. Otti’s Rigging Accusation

Kalu made the clarification while reacting to comments by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, concerning alleged election riggers in the South-East.

Speaking to journalists at his residence in Igbere on Thursday, the former governor maintained that his electoral victories have always been driven by the genuine support of voters, not manipulation of results.

According to him, his confidence in securing re-election stems from the backing of his constituents, noting that his past successes at the polls—as governor and senator—were achieved without resorting to rigging.

“I have never rigged any election and I will never support such practices. My only interest is that the will of the people prevails,” Kalu said.

He also accused Governor Otti of allowing media aides to launch coordinated attacks against him on social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Kalu recently claimed that Otti’s emergence as governor was partly due to his intervention.

In a statement issued by his media office and signed by George Maduka, the senator alleged that Otti personally visited his Igbere residence late at night on the eve of the election.

The statement further claimed that key figures in the Labour Party’s 2023 campaign, including Umeh Kalu, who served as the party’s Abia State coordinator, were involved in discussions with Senator Kalu regarding the governorship race.

It questioned the rationale behind seeking such engagement if assertions of political irrelevance were accurate.