Abia APC holds hitch-free State Congress, Chukwu emerges new chairman *Kalu attributes success to Tinubu, promises him Abia Votes

Abia State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected a new State Working Committee (SWC) through the most peaceful congress in the history of the chapter.

The congress, which saw the 36-member executive emerge through harmonization, produced a former Minority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, as the new Abia APC Chairman. The event was held in Umuahia, Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Addressing the delegates, the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, eulogized President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the peaceful outcome of the exercise, saying it has united the party, as “Abia APC can now break walls.”

Rt. Hon. Kalu said Tinubu’s political formula of harmonization guided Abia APC through hitch-free congresses, from the Wards, Local Governments to the State level.

Kalu who is the leader of the party in Abia, declared that Abia, and the entire Southeast, was now ready to deliver Mr. President as he was the sole presidential candidate of the entire south.

“The Southern political corridor does not have any other candidates for the position of president, except President Tinubu. Others are time wasters; and the South East, we will not waste our votes come 2027,” he said.

According to him, in 2027, Abians would prove why they want to align with Tinubu.
“Mr. President, we want to show you that we have reasons to align with him. He deserves it and he has merited it,” he said, urging the President to reject any promise of 25 percent of Abia votes.

“And because we are convinced by the works he has done for us, come 2027, we are not negotiating 25%. If anybody comes to him to say don’t worry, I’ll give you the 25%, let the President tell the person that we (Abia APC) are going to give him more than that.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have sons and daughters in Abia State, those you have empowered want to show you gratitude by making sure that their people come en masse to vote for you. We want him to be rest assured that Abia State is ready for him, we want him to be convinced that Abia State is set to give him the votes he is looking for,” the Deputy Speaker said.

On the outcome of the congress, Kalu described it as “a new leaf in political party administration,” which Abia APC has “embraced.”
“The party has been returned to the owners now,” he said, adding: “Let us commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is a true democrat, who knows the value of harmonization, of consensus, of agreement. He understands that.
“And that was why he insisted, as well as NEC and Caucus (of APC), that we should go back and use harmonization to rebuild our party. That is exactly what we have done. Abia APC is now healthier and stronger; the party can break walls now.” He urged intending members to join without wasting more time “or miss the boat.”

Also in his acceptance speech, the newly elected Abia State Chairman of APC, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, paid a special tribute to President Tinubu for his “focused leadership” which has “restored peace and unity” in the state chapter, pledging to “hold on to this peace at all costs and continue to pursue peace.”

He promised to bury all factions in the state chapter through wide consultations.
“In our administration, there will be no victor and no vanquished. I will consult with all our leaders and stakeholders on all issues of the party. There will be no more factions; there will be no more divisions. It is now time for reconciliation,” he declared.

Chukwu assured that he would embark on peace-building across the state, saying that his agenda would include to consolidate and expand in the party, reposition and strengthen its structures and prepare it for greater victories ahead.

“Let me assure all that this confidence you all reposed in me and members of the executive is a call to service, a call to responsibility, a call to duty, a call to unity and a call to hard work,” he said, promising to serve with humility.

Highpoint of the congress which featured goodwill messages from major stakeholders from across the three senatorial zones, was the affirmation of the candidates after names on the harmonized list of would-be state executive members had been announced and the National Congress Committee Chairman, Rt. Emmanuel Go’ar, called for a voice vote by the delegates who responded with a loud affirmation.

A law teacher, Prof. Haggler Okorie, administered the oaths of Allegiance and Office of the new Abia APC executive members which has Chidi Avajah as Secretary and Chief Uche Aguoru, as Publicity Secretary.

*Pix shows Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, congratulating Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, after his emergence as the new state chairman of Abia APC
*Photo Credit: ABN TV