The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from the recent visit of the senator representing Abia North in the Senate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, to Governor Alex Otti, saying it was a personal engagement and not a reflection of the party’s stance.
Abia APC acting publicity secretary Sterling Urakpa, who stated this yesterday in Umuahia, expressed the party’s concerns over Kalu’s public accolades for the Labour Party-led government, which, he said, contradicted the APC’s position on governance in the state.
Urakpa reiterated APC’s criticism of Otti’s administration, citing “persistent conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, and concealment of project costs and contract details from the public.”
He further warned party members against engaging in “political fraternisation” with opposition figures, emphasising the need for party discipline and unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Urakpa called on APC ward and local government executives to protect the party’s interests and unity, particularly in Kalu’s constituency.
He reaffirmed APC’s commitment to winning elections in Abia State in 2027 and aligning the state with the federal government.
Urakpa also urged Abians to compare their state’s performance with others, attributing their applause for the current government to “less work done with much that the APC Government has released at the centre.”
Part of the statement read: “Our stance on governance in Abia remains unchanged and was clearly articulated by our state chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, on May 28, 2025, during the launch of the Renewed Hope Partners in Bende Local Government Area.
“The Abia APC strongly disapproves of any party member engaging in political fraternisation with opposition figures under the pretext of canvassing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We will not condone a repeat of the 2023 scenario, where some members compromised the party’s integrity for personal benefit without punishment.
“We therefore call on the ward and local government executives of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s constituency and Sen. Chris Adighije to be on alert and take note of these developments and protect the interests and unity of our party, as we remain focused on 2027.”
He restated the Abia APC’s commitment to winning elections in the state in 2027, adding that no amount of such visits and unfounded public accolades would derail its determination to align the state with the power at the centre.