2027 elections: South-east youth leaders back Orji Uzor Kalu for another term in Senate

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has declared its support for the re-election of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, in the 2027 general elections, citing what it described as his record of constituency development and legislative representation.

The group, in a statement signed by its President-General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, said its position followed what it described as an extensive assessment of the Abia North Senatorial District, consultations with stakeholders and engagements with its structures and grassroots members.

COSEYL said the assessment had convinced it that Kalu had made visible contributions to the district since returning to the Senate. It consequently called on people of Abia North, including those living outside the country, to support his bid for another term. Blueprint reports

The endorsement is not the first time the group has publicly backed Kalu’s return to the Senate. COSEYL similarly endorsed his 2027 bid in 2025, when it defended his record against criticism from a group that had opposed his re-election.

Group highlights road projects

In its latest statement, COSEYL said Kalu had “redefined representation”, particularly through interventions in infrastructure, education and human capital development.

The group claimed that more than 100 rural and urban roads had been constructed, reconstructed or rehabilitated across the five local government areas that make up Abia North – Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi. It said the road projects had improved access to communities and created opportunities for agricultural and commercial activities.

Available reports and statements from Kalu’s office also document a number of road interventions across the senatorial district. In September, his office listed several ongoing and planned road construction and rehabilitation projects, while a separate statement said more than 70 road projects had been attracted to Abia North. The figures and descriptions of projects are largely based on claims by the senator and his supporters and have not been independently audited in their entirety.

Education features prominently

COSEYL also pointed to education as another major area of intervention, claiming that Kalu had built or renovated more than 100 classroom blocks and provided desks and learning materials to pupils and students across the district.

The senator’s education interventions have also been reported by independent media. In January 2026, reports said his office commenced the distribution of school uniforms to pupils across more than 300 primary schools in the five local government areas of Abia North, following earlier interventions involving classrooms, textbooks and school desks.

In June, another report said the 2026 distribution of educational materials had commenced in schools across the district, including school bags, STEM textbooks, exercise books and uniforms.

COSEYL said such interventions went beyond the provision of physical infrastructure, arguing that investments in schools and educational materials could have longer-term implications for young people in the district.

Youth empowerment, human capital development

The group also cited empowerment programmes involving youths, women, farmers and entrepreneurs, claiming that more than 10,000 beneficiaries had received various forms of training, support or funding through Kalu’s foundation and constituency interventions.

It further praised what it described as opportunities for young Nigerians to receive specialised training abroad. Reports published in 2026 have highlighted programmes associated with Kalu involving international training and scholarships, including opportunities in areas such as technology and other fields. However, the specific figure of 10,000 beneficiaries cited by COSEYL remains the group’s claim and was not independently established in available sources.

The coalition said such programmes demonstrated what it described as a focus on human capital development alongside physical infrastructure.

COSEYL praises Kalu’s Senate role

Beyond constituency projects, COSEYL described Kalu as a ranking senator whose experience and position in the National Assembly had enabled him to represent Abia North and broader South East interests.

The group said his legislative activities had given Abia North greater visibility at the federal level and argued that his experience provided a platform for continued engagement on issues affecting the district and the wider South East.

Kalu, who has represented Abia North in the Senate since 2019, has recently said he wants his 2027 campaign to be centred on his record rather than attacks on other aspirants. In a statement reported on September 19, he directed his media team and supporters to focus on his legislative performance, infrastructure projects and human capital interventions.

His legislative record has included bills and motions on issues ranging from security and education to infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and other national concerns, according to statements attributed to his office.

Group urges Abia North voters to support Kalu

COSEYL described its endorsement as a product of what it said was its assessment of Kalu’s performance rather than a response to political pressure.

The group urged sons and daughters of Abia North at home and in the diaspora to “close ranks” behind the senator, arguing that his record should form the basis of the decision on the 2027 contest.

The statement also criticised unnamed political opponents whom it accused of using social media to attack Kalu despite, according to COSEYL, lacking a meaningful footprint in the district. The coalition said voters should instead focus on projects and other measurable activities attributed to the senator.

Recent political developments indicate that Kalu’s bid is already attracting public endorsements from different groups within Abia North. Traditional rulers in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, for instance, were reported on September 24 to have expressed support for his return to the Senate, citing his constituency engagement and interventions.

COSEYL, however, said its own position was that Kalu should be allowed to continue his representation, describing his reported interventions in infrastructure, education, empowerment and legislative activities as reasons for its support.

The 2027 election will ultimately provide the electorate in Abia North with the opportunity to assess Kalu alongside other candidates seeking the senatorial seat. As of the latest available information, the coalition’s statement represents its endorsement and political position rather than a determination of the election’s outcome.