A serious power struggle might be hovering in Abia state at the moment as the Kalus, although not biological brothers, are contesting who President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has handed the leadership of the party in the state to.
Interestingly, both Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu and former governor of Abia State, have claimed that President Bola Tinubu instructed them to lead the All Progressives Congress, or APC, in the state. Both issued statements that were uploaded on their official Facebook accounts almost at the same time.
While Okezie Kalu thinks he is “the highest ranking political office holder in the state after Gov. Alex Otti, Orji Kalu said he should be in charge because he is “the most senior Governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the President’s direction,” Orji Kalu added.
“Thank you, the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for insisting that governors should handle the issues of the party in the states with APC Governors, while the highest ranking political office holders like the Deputy Speaker takes care of the affairs in Abia State”, the Deputy Speaker wrote:
“Thanks for re-emphasising this on Friday during the engagement.
“You have always worked with this model all through the ward, local government and state congresses and it has brought us great success. It has united the party more than ever before and we are ready to win elections in Abia State for you and for every one who has an interest to contest under our party.
“Thanks to the National Working Committee for the great job you are doing, we will continue to work with every stakeholder until victory is assured.
“Abia APC has never been this united and forward looking thanks to your support. We will deliver Abia votes overwhelmingly”, he added.
On the other hand, Alex Otti wrote, “I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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.
“As the most senior governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the President’s directive, to ensure that the APC in Abia produces candidates who are widely acceptable, united in purpose, and well-positioned to secure victory in the state for the President’s re-election, while advancing the best interests of Abia State and Nigeria at large”, he wrote.
Who is in charge of Abia APC?
At the moment, ENigeria Newspaper confirm that there is no clear clarification of who has been anointed to lead the party in the state. Neither Alex Otti, who is a member of the Labour Party, and the APC from the national branch, especially from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself.
