Abia APC Faces Possible Rift Over 2027 Governorship Candidate Selection

Signs of internal tension have emerged within the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over how the party will select its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, with concerns that bypassing due process could lead to division.

Three prominent figures, Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, are believed to be eyeing the party’s ticket. So far, however, only Mascot Kalu has formally declared his intention to run.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Kalu alleged that a stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia involved members of the APC State Executive, local government chairmen, and selected party figures. He claimed attendees were directed to mobilise 20 individuals per ward under the pretext of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Kalu described the development as an attempt by certain party elements to impose a preferred governorship candidate, warning that such a move could destabilise the party. He said his concerns were based on intelligence about the meeting and what he described as selective invitations.

Responding, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Uche Aguoru, dismissed the allegations as false and misleading. In a statement, he clarified that the State Working Committee (SWC) has not endorsed any aspirant for the governorship or any other office.

Aguoru stressed that the SWC lacks the constitutional authority to endorse candidates, explaining that its role is to provide a neutral platform that ensures fairness and credibility in party processes.

He added that the only endorsement made at that level remains that of President Tinubu, in line with national directives, and reaffirmed that neither the SWC nor the State Executive Committee has backed any governorship aspirant.

Assuring party members, Aguoru said the leadership of the state chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, is committed to internal democracy and will guarantee a transparent, free, and credible primary election.

He also cautioned party stakeholders against spreading unverified claims that could heighten tensions, noting that attendance at meetings by SWC members should not be interpreted as endorsement.

Meanwhile, an anonymous APC stakeholder warned that mishandling the candidate selection process could deepen divisions within the party. The source advised against adopting endorsement or affirmation methods, citing past controversies from similar approaches used in internal party elections.

The stakeholder further cautioned that any attempt to impose a candidate could weaken party unity ahead of the 2027 polls.