The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has declared Bola Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The declaration was made on Sunday during a Stakeholders’ Pre-Congress meeting, where party leaders also unanimously adopted Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the Abia State leader of the party.
The motion was moved by former senator, Dr. Nkechi Nwaogu, and received unanimous endorsement from stakeholders present at the meeting.
Accepting the role, Kalu pledged to lead the Abia APC with unity and peace towards achieving electoral victories. He explained that his decision to assume leadership was based on the absence of a sitting APC governor in the state and the failure of the next highest-ranking political office holder to take up the responsibility due to consistent absence from party activities.
Speaking at his residence in Bende, Kalu commended the ongoing membership registration exercise, describing it as both successful and impactful. He revealed that APC membership in Abia State has grown to over 160,000 and continues to increase.
According to him, the rising membership strength has dispelled claims that the party lacks presence in Abia, adding that the APC is now strategically positioned to secure at least 25 per cent of the votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
As preparations begin for the election of party executives at ward, local government, and state levels—starting with ward congresses scheduled for Wednesday—Kalu disclosed that he has already obtained nomination forms for immediate distribution to aspirants, stressing that completed forms must be submitted on the spot.
He added that executives elected through the congresses would be formally inaugurated at their respective levels.
Emphasising unity, Kalu maintained that there are no factions within the Abia APC, warning that anyone promoting division “is not and cannot be a member of the party.”
