Indications emerged at the weekend that the process of selecting the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State for the 2027 election could trigger divisions within the party if due constitutional procedures are sidelined in favour of endorsement or affirmation.

Three party members—Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh—are believed to be interested in contesting for the party’s governorship ticket. However, only Mascot Kalu has so far publicly declared his intention.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, Mascot Kalu alleged that a stakeholders’ meeting was convened in Umuahia the same day, involving members of the APC State Executive, Local Government Area chairmen, and other selected stakeholders.

According to him, participants were allegedly instructed to mobilise 20 persons per ward under the guise that the meeting was related to the presidential campaign for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Kalu described the development as a plot by some party members to impose a preferred governorship candidate without due process, warning that such a move could destabilise the party in the state. He said his concerns were based on intelligence reports regarding the meeting and the alleged selective invitation of participants.

Reacting swiftly, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Uche Aguoru, dismissed Kalu’s claims as false and misleading. In a statement titled “Re: False Claims of Candidate Endorsement by the State Working Committee (SWC)”, Aguoru clarified that the State Working Committee had not endorsed any aspirant for the governorship or any other elective position.

He stressed that the SWC is not constitutionally empowered to endorse candidates, noting that its primary responsibility is to provide a neutral administrative platform that guarantees fairness and credibility in the party’s processes.

Aguoru further explained that the only endorsement made collectively by the party structure at that level remains that of President Tinubu, in line with national party directives. He reiterated that neither the SWC nor the enlarged State Executive Committee (EXCO) has endorsed any aspirant at any level.

He assured party members that under the leadership of the state APC Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, the party remains committed to internal democracy and will ensure a level playing field for all aspirants. He added that the forthcoming primaries would be conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner.

While acknowledging that it is not unusual for aspirants to raise concerns during political contests, Aguoru urged stakeholders to refrain from spreading unverified claims capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party.
He also clarified that attendance of SWC members at meetings convened by party leaders or stakeholders should not be misconstrued as endorsement, emphasising that the committee will continue to operate within its constitutional boundaries and maintain neutrality in all contests.

Meanwhile, an APC stakeholder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that the governorship candidate selection process could destabilise the party if not properly managed. He cautioned against adopting the endorsement or affirmation method, noting that its previous use in selecting party executives at ward, local government, and state levels had generated concerns.

According to the source, any attempt to impose a candidate could fracture the already delicate unity within the Abia APC.