There are indications that Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu may be heading for collision over leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.
Already, both political leaders have laid claims to the leadership position, with each insisting that President Bola Tinubu had directed them to take charged of the party’s structure in Abia State.
While Orji Kalu represents Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly and chairs the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, Hon. Ben Kalu is the lawmaker for Bende Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, also under Abia North.
Senator Kalu said that the directive to head the Abia APC structure followed his recent meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a post on his official Facebook page, the former Senate Chief Whip expressed appreciation for the assignment and pledged to reposition the party in the State.
“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 APC,” he said.
He added that his focus would be on strengthening unity within the party and preparing it for electoral success.
“As the most senior governor from the state, I will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the APC produces candidates who are widely acceptable and capable of delivering victory in Abia State for the President’s re-election, while promoting the overall interests of the state and the nation,” Kalu stated.
Curiously, Hon. Ben Kalu has also claimed to have been directed by President Tinubu to take charge of the party’s structure in Abia.
In a Facebook post on Monday, the lawmaker disclosed that the President reiterated the directive during an engagement in Abuja on Friday. He explained that the arrangement ensures that governors manage party affairs in APC-controlled states, while the highest-ranking political office holders take charge in states where the party is not in power.
“I thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for insisting that governors should handle party matters in states with APC governors, while the highest-ranking political office holders, such as the Deputy Speaker, take responsibility for states like Abia,” he said.
Kalu noted that the model has been consistently applied across ward, local government, and state congresses, adding that it has significantly strengthened party unity in Abia.
He expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, stating that the APC in Abia is now more united and better positioned for electoral success.
The Deputy Speaker also commended the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for its efforts and pledged continued collaboration with stakeholders to secure victory.
“Abia APC has never been this united and forward-looking. With your support, we will deliver Abia’s votes overwhelmingly,” he added.
Political analysts believe the situation is indicates a major crack in the APC structure in the State, and most likely to affect the party’s performance at the 2027 general elections.