Abia APC Faces Dual Leadership Claims from Benjamin Kalu and Orji Uzor Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, have claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has entrusted them with the duty of coordinating the affairs of the state where there is no APC governor.

In a statement released by the offices of the Deputy Speaker and Senator Uzor Kalu on Monday, Rt. Hon. Kalu thanked “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for insisting that governors should handle the issues of the party in states with APC governors, while the highest-ranking political office holders like the Deputy Speaker take care of affairs in Abia state.”

Uzor Kalu also applauded the President for the “confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate activities in Abia State in respect of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party’s structure in Abia State, following what they described as directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, their statements also reveal subtle differences in emphasis regarding leadership roles within the state.

The Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu suggested that this structure has strengthened internal cohesion, describing the APC in Abia as “more united than ever” and expressing confidence in the party’s readiness to secure electoral victories.

He also praised the party’s National Working Committee for fostering collaboration among stakeholders, noting that the APC was positioning itself to deliver strong electoral outcomes in the state.

Emphasising his role as the ‘most senior Governor in the State’, Orji Kalu pledged to work with stakeholders to ensure the emergence of widely accepted candidates capable of winning elections and supporting the President’s re-election bid.

While both leaders projected unity and alignment with the President’s vision, their remarks point to a potential overlap in authority.