Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A fierce internal crisis is tearing through the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress after the party's State Working Committee gave Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and House of Representatives member Chris Nkwonta a seven‑day ultimatum to issue a public apology or face disciplinary action for allegedly endorsing Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The party's leadership, in a communiqué issued on Monday, August 10, 2026, accused the two federal lawmakers of conduct that is "unstatesmanlike, irresponsible, embarrassing and inimical to the unity, cohesion and electoral prospects of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State".
The controversy centres on two separate public statements. Senator Kalu, who represents Abia North, was reported to have declared in a television interview that Governor Otti would win the 2027 governorship election. Similarly, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, who represents Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, was accused of stating publicly, in the presence of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, that he would vote for Otti's re‑election. The party described these declarations as "anti‑party conduct" and a breach of Article 21.2(11) of the APC Constitution, which provides for disciplinary action against members whose conduct is considered inimical to the party or amounts to indiscipline and disloyalty.
In a communiqué signed by the state chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, and 16 other members of the SWC, the party demanded that Kalu and Nkwonta tender an "unreserved public apology" to the APC, its leadership, members and supporters in Abia State within seven days. The apology, the party said, must clearly demonstrate their commitment to the APC, its Constitution and leadership, as well as the party's decision to field and support its own candidates in the 2027 general elections. The SWC warned that failure to comply would leave the party with no option but to constitute a disciplinary committee to investigate the statements and impose appropriate sanctions "without fear or favour and irrespective of the status of the individuals concerned". The party further resolved that it would withdraw its political support and privileges from either individual if their conduct was established to be inimical to the party's interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
The confrontation is significant because Kalu is a former governor of Abia State and one of the most prominent APC figures in the South‑East, while Nkwonta is also regarded as an influential party member in the state. The Abia APC insisted, however, that the stature of individual members would not prevent the party from enforcing its rules. "The APC is bigger than any individual, regardless of his or her political stature," the SWC said.
But Senator Kalu has fired back, rejecting the accusations and accusing the state party leadership of high‑handedness and intellectual poverty. In a statement issued through his "Reality Political Organization" on Tuesday, August 11, Kalu vehemently denied endorsing Governor Otti, insisting that his comments were merely a prediction of the likely outcome of the 2027 polls. "Where, precisely, did Senator Orji Uzor Kalu engage in anti‑party activity?" he asked. He explained that during the television interview, he was asked whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election and whether Governor Alex Otti would win the Abia governorship election – and he answered yes to both. "Is a prediction now synonymous with an endorsement? Has political analysis suddenly become anti‑party activity?" Kalu queried.
The former governor also threatened to run a parallel faction of the APC in Abia, accusing the state party leadership, whom he claimed were mostly defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, of trying to destroy what they spent years to build. He warned that he would never sit idly by and watch the party be destroyed.
The crisis highlights the deep divisions within the Abia APC as the party prepares for the 2027 elections. While Governor Otti and the Labour Party continue to consolidate their political position in the state, the APC is grappling with internal fractures that threaten to undermine its ability to mount a formidable challenge. The party has urged its members to remain calm, focused and united, assuring them that it will use "all legitimate political and organisational mechanisms" to protect its integrity and work towards winning the governorship and legislative elections in 2027. Whether Kalu and Nkwonta will apologise or face disciplinary action – and whether Kalu will make good on his threat to run a parallel faction – remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of the Abia APC has only just begun.
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