A fresh leadership controversy is brewing within the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as top figures issue conflicting signals over who controls the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dispute appears to pit loyalists of Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu against the camp of former governor and current senator Orji Uzor Kalu, both of whom claim alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political directive on party coordination in the state.

In a recent statement, Benjamin Kalu suggested that the President had endorsed a leadership structure where governors manage party affairs in their states, while in Abia—where the APC is not in power—the highest-ranking political office holder assumes that responsibility. He implied that, as Deputy Speaker, he is positioned to oversee party coordination in the state.

However, in a separate statement, Orji Uzor Kalu declared that he had been given the mandate to coordinate APC activities in Abia, emphasizing his role as a senior political figure and long-standing stakeholder in the party.

These parallel assertions have exposed cracks within the party, with both camps projecting legitimacy and loyalty to the President.

Despite the apparent rivalry, Senator Kalu has publicly maintained that the APC in Abia remains united, insisting there is “no quarrel” within the party and that all stakeholders are working together toward electoral victory.

Similarly, Benjamin Kalu has repeatedly highlighted efforts by party leaders to strengthen cohesion and reposition the APC for success in the state.

Yet, political observers note that the competing public statements suggest otherwise, pointing to an underlying struggle for control of party structures, particularly as the race for the 2027 governorship intensifies.

The leadership contest is widely seen as part of broader permutations ahead of the next election cycle, where multiple APC heavyweights are seeking to dominate the party’s structure in Abia.

Recent political developments indicate that influential figures—including former governors and emerging power blocs—are aligning within the APC to challenge the ruling opposition in the state, further complicating internal dynamics.

Analysts warn that unless the party clarifies its leadership hierarchy, the ongoing ambiguity could weaken its chances against incumbent forces and opposition parties.

Party stakeholders and observers are now calling on the national leadership of the APC to clearly define the chain of command in Abia State to avoid further factionalization.

With both Benjamin Kalu and Orji Uzor Kalu invoking presidential backing, the situation underscores a deeper struggle for influence within the party—one that could shape APC’s prospects in Abia’s evolving political landscape.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the ability of the APC to resolve its internal leadership dispute may determine whether it presents a united front or enters the contest divided.