A fresh leadership controversy has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, both assert that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed them to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.
The parallel claims, conveyed through separate statements published on their official Facebook pages around the same time, have sparked debate over the control of the party structure ahead of future electoral contests.
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency and serves as Deputy Speaker, stated that the President reaffirmed a leadership model where APC governors manage party affairs in their respective states, while in states without APC governors, the highest-ranking political office holder assumes that responsibility.
Abia State is currently governed by Alex Otti of the Labour Party, a situation Kalu said places him in charge of the APC structure in the state. He expressed appreciation to the President for maintaining what he described as a consistent and successful framework, adding that the arrangement has strengthened unity within the party.
According to him, the Abia APC is now more cohesive and strategically positioned to secure electoral victories, pledging that the party would deliver overwhelming support for the President in future elections.
However, in a seemingly conflicting position, Senator Orji Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, also announced that he had been entrusted with coordinating APC activities in the state. He thanked the President for what he described as a “marching order” and pledged to work with stakeholders to ensure the emergence of credible candidates capable of winning elections.
Referring to himself as the most senior political figure in the state, the former governor emphasized his commitment to party unity and electoral success, particularly in support of the President’s re-election ambitions.
The dual claims have raised questions about the clarity of the party’s leadership structure in Abia State, especially as the APC seeks to consolidate its position in a state currently controlled by the opposition Labour Party.
Party stakeholders are yet to issue an official clarification on the matter.
Comments