Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State have endorsed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, as their preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
The endorsement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, where party leaders from the three senatorial districts and all 17 local government areas of the state were in attendance. The meeting was reportedly convened to strengthen internal cohesion and consolidate the party’s structure ahead of future elections.
At the gathering, several party leaders expressed support for Benjamin Kalu, urging him to formally declare his intention to run for governor. They argued that the party needed a strong and widely acceptable candidate capable of improving its chances of winning the governorship election in 2027.
A representative of the South East bloc at the Federal Capital Civil Service, Martins Azubuike, stated that the meeting was aimed at consolidating gains from recent party activities and strengthening engagement across local government structures. He explained that the process was designed to capture the views of party members through structured representation.
Reacting to the endorsement, Benjamin Kalu expressed appreciation to the stakeholders for their confidence in him. However, he stated that he would formally communicate his decision regarding the governorship race in the coming weeks, noting that consultations were still ongoing within and outside the party.
He also assured supporters that the APC in Abia State was positioning itself to mount a strong opposition and ultimately win the 2027 governorship election.
However, the endorsement has triggered opposition within the party, particularly from another aspirant, Mascot Kalu. He rejected the process that led to Benjamin Kalu’s endorsement, describing it as exclusionary and unacceptable.
In a strongly worded statement, Mascot Kalu alleged that the stakeholders’ meeting was designed to impose a preferred candidate without adequate consultation with other aspirants. He warned that any attempt to force a consensus candidate on the party would face resistance.
According to him, such a move would undermine internal democracy and could deepen divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections. He insisted that all aspirants must be given equal opportunity in the selection process.
Political observers note that the development highlights growing tensions within the APC in Abia State as the party begins early positioning for the next governorship contest. While one faction is rallying behind Benjamin Kalu, another insists on a more open and competitive selection process.
The situation reflects broader internal struggles within opposition parties in the state, where ambitions and strategic alignments are already shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
