By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu, has threatened to run a parallel faction of the All Progressive Congress APC, amidst sharp disagreement with the State Party Leadership.
This is as he rejected claims suggesting that he endorsed Labour Party’s Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office , ahead of the APC gubernatorial candidate in Abia state.
Kalu’s clarification is coming against the backdrop of a seven-day ultimatum issued by the leadership of the Abia State chapter of the APC ordering Kalu to tender an unreserved apology over his alleged anti-party activities and misconduct.
The Abia APC in a communique issued on Monday, August 10, 2026, after a meeting of the State Working Committee, SWC, expressed serious disappointment and displeasure with the duo of Senator Kalu and Hon Chris Nkwota, member representing Ukwa West/Ukwa East at the National Assembly over their purported endorsement of the second term ambition of the Abia state Governor.
The APC, in the communique, described the conduct of both leaders as totally unacceptable, irresponsible , unstatesmanlike, as well as inimical to the overall interest of the party in the state.
The party, therefore, urged the two members to apologise for their unbefitting conduct ,or be prepared to face disciplinary actions.
“Failure by either of the two individuals to comply with this demand within the stipulated seven days will leave the party with no option than to constitute a disciplinary Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding their respective statements and actions, and make appropriate disciplinary recommendations to the competent organs of the party”, the APC stated.
But in a statement from his “Reality Political Organization” late on Tuesday , August 11, 2026, the Senator representing Abia North District , accused the State Party Leadership of high-handedness and intolerance in its handling of the affairs of the Party.
He warned that he will never sit idly by, and watch the State Party Leadership, most of whom he alleged came from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, destroy what they spent years to build.
While vehemently debunking claims that he endorsed Governor Otti for a second term in office, Kalu explained that his was a simple case of prediction of the outcome of the gubernatorial polls in the state in 2027.
He questioned the basis for labelling his prediction of political outcomes as an anti-party activity.
“It is becoming increasingly obvious that the APC in Abia state is being run by people whose actions appear more calculated to destroy the party than build it .
“Even more disturbing is the intellectual poverty displayed in attempting to manufacture an allegation of anti-party activity from a straightforward political prediction.
“Where, precisely, did Senator Orji Uzor Kalu engage in anti-party activity? During the television interview being mischievously referenced, Senator Kalu was asked whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election. He answered yes .
“He was asked whether Governor Alex Otti would win the Abia Governorship election. He answered yes. He was further asked whether the APC was in alliance with Governor Otti . His answer was as an unequivocal no.
“Where, therefore, is the endorsement? Is a prediction now synonymous with an endorsement? Has political analysis suddenly become anti-party activity?
“At what point did expressing an opinion about the likely outcome of an election become an offence under the APC Constitution?”, Kalu queried.
The former Governor accused the APC Leadership in the State of suffering from what he described as “manifest and profound intellectual laziness” which has led it into an orchestrated attempt to mislead members of the party and the public.
He emphasized that his “prediction” during the said interview would have ordinarily provoked a serious leadership into a sober reflection, rather than issuing veiled threats.
“Rather than reaching for threats and disciplinary proceedings, they should be asking themselves what shortcomings within the party could produce such a prediction, and what must be done to change the political equation before 2027.
“Or would Chijioke Chukwu and his colleagues prefer Senator Kalu to predict an APC Governorship victory merely to massage their egos, even when his assessment of the prevailing political situation suggests otherwise? That would not be loyal. It would be self-deception dressed in party colours”, Kalu added.
The statement further accused the party leadership of earlier gloating over a similar political prediction made against Senator Kalu himself by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu.
“There is also an extraordinary degree of selective outrage at play. Only a few days before the National Assembly primaries, the camp of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives wrote an article predicting hurdles for Senator Kalu, even if he secured the APC Senatorial ticket.
” Where were Chijioke Chukwu ( party chairman) and his colleagues then? What was their reaction? Where was the communique? Where was the righteous indignation? Where were the threats of disciplinary proceedings . Their silence was deafening”, the statement noted.
Kalu, therefore, vowed to take measures to steer the party towards genuine and purposeful path, should the present leadership continue to promote disunity.
“If this culture of segregation , intimidation, high-handedness and impunity continues ,then ,by the grace of God , genuine and patriotic members of the Abia APC will have no alternative but to unveil a dedicated State Working Committee to run the affairs of the party and provide the inclusive leadership that members across Abia state deserve. Nobody should mistake restraint for weakness”, Kalu warned.
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