Phillips Nto receives youth endorsement for Abia North Senate seat
Hundreds of youths under the aegis of different political and socio-civic groups on Monday stormed the streets of Umuahia, the Abia State capital, demanding that former Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, should step aside from elective politics to allow younger leaders emerge.
The protesters, who marched through major streets in the state capital before converging at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat along Azikiwe Road, openly declared their support for renowned economist and technocrat, Dr Phillips Nto, whom they described as “a credible alternative” for the Abia North Senate seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The youths, drawn from groups including the Old Bende Political Forum, Abia Youths Christian Assembly, and Abia North Young Professionals for Tinubu’s Mandate, submitted a protest letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the APC leadership in the state.
In the letter jointly signed by Dr. Uchenna Kalu Akpi, Kingsley Olugu, and Bro. Vitals Igbokwe, the protesters accused Senator Kalu of allegedly dominating the political space in Abia North and sidelining younger politicians and party faithful.
They argued that after serving two terms in the Senate, Kalu should pave the way for fresh leadership capable of addressing the challenges confronting youths in the district, including unemployment, economic hardship, and poor political inclusion.
According to the protesters, “Abia North is not anyone’s personal estate,” insisting that democratic representation should not be monopolised by one individual or family.
The groups further alleged that appointments and opportunities accruing to the zone under the APC-led Federal Government had allegedly been concentrated within Kalu’s political structure and immediate family members.
The demonstrators also questioned what they described as the continued dominance of the Kalu family in the politics of the state, noting that while Senator Kalu seeks another term in the Senate, his younger brother is equally aspiring for the governorship position under the APC platform.
Calling on President Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to ensure fairness in the party’s internal processes, the youths urged the party to deny Kalu a third-term ticket and instead support Dr. Phillips Nto as the party’s candidate for Abia North.
They described Nto as “a grassroots-oriented intellectual, seasoned administrator and development expert” with the capacity to offer quality representation and empower young people across the district.
The protesters maintained that Nto’s academic pedigree, public service experience and accessibility distinguished him from other aspirants seeking the seat.
Dr. Nto, a respected economist and former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, has in recent months gained increasing support from youth groups and professionals within the state following consultations over his reported ambition to represent Abia North in the Senate.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the Abia APC leadership, Chief Uche Aguoru assured them that their letter would be transmitted to the appropriate authorities.
Aguoru also disclosed that the party in the state was considering adopting the direct primary system for the selection of candidates, stressing that all aspirants would be given a level playing field.
He urged party members and supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to democratic engagement as political activities ahead of the next election cycle gather momentum in the state.
