The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into renewed tension following a leadership and succession dispute between Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, and Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disagreement centres on the party’s governorship ambition in the state, with Benjamin Kalu reportedly positioning himself to contest, while Senator Orji Kalu is backing his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, as the preferred APC candidate.
The development has heightened internal divisions within the party, as both camps intensify consultations and political messaging ahead of the next election cycle.
In a post on his Facebook page on Monday, Orji Uzor Kalu thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting him with a coordinating role in APC affairs in Abia State.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate activities in Abia State in respect of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he wrote.
He added that he would work with stakeholders to ensure the emergence of “widely acceptable” candidates capable of securing victory for the party in 2027.
In a separate post on the same day, Benjamin Kalu also appreciated President Tinubu, noting that the President had reiterated a structured approach to party administration at the state level.
He stated that party affairs in Abia were being coordinated in line with the leadership roles of top office holders, adding that the arrangement had strengthened unity within the APC.
“You have always worked with this model through the ward, local government and state congresses, and it has brought us great success,” he wrote, expressing confidence in the party’s chances in the state.
Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has officially endorsed his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, to contest the 2027 governorship election on the APC platform.
Mascot, a former Chief of Staff to the Abia State Government and former governorship candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP), has already declared his intention to run.
Orji Kalu, who previously expressed support for Governor Alex Otti, has now withdrawn that backing and vowed to lead efforts to unseat the incumbent governor in 2027.
He accused Governor Otti of poor governance and mismanagement, describing him as a “one-term governor,” while insisting that the APC would reclaim Abia State.
However, supporters of Governor Otti have dismissed the criticisms as politically motivated, insisting that the Labour Party administration remains focused on delivery and is confident of re-election based on its performance.
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