By Desmond Obasi
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) is at it again, doing what he knows how to do best: political scheming and treachery. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Kalu defiantly summoned a meeting of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State chapter, at his Abuja private residence.
On a good day, such a meeting which can be better described as the gathering of his friends would not have drawn any attention, but because OUK clandestinely made it a tool of political maneuvering to throw other party stakeholders under the bus, a few concerns have arisen.
Call it a “kangaroo peace meeting”, “media stunt” or “OUK and friends get-together”, the indisputable truth is that the meeting has intrinsically sparked widespread criticisms and concerns within the circle of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.
The meeting, which was notably absent of key stakeholders, has been perceived as a blatant attempt by the Senator to further his own selfish interests in the lead-up to the 2027 general election. This has potentially raised questions about his commitment to the party’s unity and progress.
His decision to convene a meeting without the involvement of key party officials has been seen as a power play to consolidate his own influence within the party.
This move has also been interpreted as a clear indication of OUK’s intentions to usurp the position of the party executive in the state. The meeting’s legitimacy has been disputed, with many party members accusing him of attempting to undermine the state chairman’s authority. What happened to the State Executive committee charged by Article 12.9 of the APC constitution with the responsibility of identifying issues of concern to the state? What of the State working committee in Article 12:11 of the APC constitution which states the responsibility of the party ?
According to Article 12.10 of the constitution, there is an organ known as the State Caucus that listed those who are the members. Was it a caucus meeting that Senator Orji kalu called with 99 percentage of those in attendance not qualifying as members? Was this a meeting of a faction that refused to recognise the existing structure of the national working committee and their state working committee? Or just the gathering of those that worked with him as a governor because there is nothing to link this to APC stakeholders meeting or any other meeting recognised by the constitution of APC.
The party constitution in Article 26 speaks of quorum, with the number of major stake holders in Abia state. Were those 16 people that gathered the stake holders of Abia APC? OUK obviously has some explanations to make.
From what is already public knowledge, Article 27 of the APC constitution does not allow any one including Senator Kalu to just wake up and unilaterally fix party meetings in his private residence. The venue of every meeting gets the approval of the leadership of the party. But here, OUK still thinks the infamous days of “Mamacracy” when he was governor of Abia State are still running and that party meetings could hold at any place of his choice including his mother’s kitchen to the angst of everyone.
May be, someone needs to wake him up from his wide-plains dreams and remind him that APC is not Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) which died because of his greed and high-handedness. Founded by progressives with a people-oriented constitution, APC Abia has come to stay and Senator Kalu’s attempt to hijack it failed even before he contemplated it. The President he is apparently trying to impress with this kangaroo media stunt knows his game and will never support him disregarding the constitution of the Party.
Assuming, without conceding, that OUK even called a peace meeting, he needed the blessing of the state executive, who, by its own powers, would first gather any warring parties to give vent to any peace meeting thereafter. Why did he ignore the State chairman when he advised that leadership should first meet and agree on issues before the meeting and that no meeting should be held in any private residence? Why did he hire the National Welfare Secretary of the party, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa to usurp the powers of the state chairman? The powers of the National Welfare Secretary by Article 14.12 of the APC Constitution is to promote the welfare of members of the party generally. He is also responsible for protocols and logistics of the party at the national level. It is definitely not to call meetings at the state when the state has a state executive committee. The National chairman should immediately call his National Welfare Secretary to order to avoid an implosion.
If the meeting had the endorsement of the party executive and, indeed, the stakeholders in Abia State, then, one would be quick to drop a plethora of names that were not there.
Key figures, including the State Party Chairman Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, the state secretary, treasurer, women leader, youth leader, legal adviser and other party executives, were conspicuously absent.
Other bigwigs, such as the the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who, at the time of the meeting, was understandably delivering the one-year memorial lecture of late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja; the 2023 Flag standard bearer of the party in the state, High Chief Ikechi Emenike; the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah; former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Dr Chris Akomas; and the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, were also noticeably absent at the meeting.
Yet, where was the Chairman of the South East Development Commission Board (SEDC) and former minister of labour and productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu? Where was the SEDC’s Executive Director, Finance, who is also a two-time Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly and former Acting Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka? Where was also the former Speaker of the State Assembly and currently, federal commissioner representing the South East in the FCT Civil Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, who was also the running mate to former minister, Uche Ogah? Where was Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, the immediate past Speaker of the State Assembly? Where was the former Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly and 2023 PDP presidential aspirant, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe? What of Chief Charly Ogbonna, a former deputy chief of staff to the governor of Abia State? Where was Dr. P.C. Mba, a former Commissioner in Abia State many times? Where were Sir Don Ubani, a Chieftain of the party from Ukwa? What about Mr. Chris Igwe, the oil and gas industrialist? Why was the former Chief of Army Staff General Azubuike Ihejirika absent? What about Professor Victor Ukogu, the chairman, Governing Council of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN)? Where was Senator Nkechi Nwogu, several times a legislator? What of Dr. Blessing Nwagba, 2023 senator candidates for Abia South? What of Mrs Odochi Orji, the wife of former Governor T.A. Orji? What about the former member APC BoT, Prince B.B. Apugo? What about a former Deputy Speaker of Abia State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley? Why was Chief Dimgba Eruba, the NDDC commissioner representing Abia state absent? What about the federal commissioner representing Abia on the board of the National Population Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Trump Eke? Also the federal character commissioner, Henry Egbulogu? What about the CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding, Engr. Jennifer Adighije ; and Engr. Uzoma Nwagba, incharge of Credit corps?
Where was Hon. Sam Onuigbo, the south east commissioner in the North East Development Commission? What of the former minority leader of the House of Assembly and commissioner in North West Development Commission, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu? How about the only House of Assembly member of APC in Abia State? Where was Hon. Solomon Okogwuo, the former minority leader House of Assembly? The list goes on almost endlessly.
Did OUK deliberately leave out those appointed by Mr. President, knowing they are strong allies of the president?
What sort of peaceful meeting would have held without these stakeholders? Let it be loudly stated that what happened at OUK’s residence on Thursday was nothing but an attempt by him to hoodwink some party faithful and railroad them into endorsing Labour Party or the coalition party .
The meeting’s connection to a new coalition has already sparked rumors that OUK is building a power base for the Labour Party, both at the state and national levels. Dr. Ndukwe Adindu’s presence, who openly campaigned for Peter Obi in 2027 and still does it, adds fuel to these speculations.
At best, it can be said that OUK assembled Labour Party apologists, some of whom have openly declared support for the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi at many fora in the State.
For instance, Chief Marc Wabara as well as former Senator Chris Adighije are notorious with these open endorsements. Similarly, Professor ACB Agbazuare who recently joined APC did not hide his feelings when he recently, publicly endorsed Otti. The viral video is all over the social media.
It is however gratifying that some independent minded personalities like the State former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, former CEO of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, Chief Emeka Atuma, Hon. Nkiru Onyejiocha, former governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Anyim Nyerere, and few others frowned at what they were invited to attend.
These developments have potently raised questions about OUK’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party. Could it be said that OUK is just willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his personal goals, willy-nilly?
Recall that he did not support the president during primaries and went on to void his vote for President Tinubu in the 2023 general election, which he boldly exhibited in the line before the votes were counted, perhaps, thinking Peter Obi would have won.
For a man who openly worked for the Labour Party with his political structure, and now, turns back to call stakeholders meetings in his bedroom, only the gullible will follow him.
OUK to many APC members in Abia is ultimately seeking self-glory and attempting to undermine the party leadership. Of course, his actions can only exacerbate the infighting in the party. He should be warned to respect the party structure and be reminded that he is no longer governor.
Again, kudos must be timeously given to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkiru Onyejiocha, who was said to have left the meeting after understanding that the right audience of the party stakeholders was not present. A similar tribute must also be paid to Chief Emeka Atuma, who was said to have reminded OUK at the meeting that the right channel of invitation was not followed and advised him to respect the current leadership structure of the party in Abia state to reduce internal conflict.
It must be revealed that there is no love lost between OUK and the presidency at the moment, and this is ultimately responsible for his political tantrums in all directions in a bid to regain relevance. He is basically struggling to impress the President. His deep seated hatred for the President whom he claimed sent him to jail will never ebb.
Keen political watchers have not forgotten that OUK took sides with a certain man in the Senate for the 2023 APC presidential ticket as against the choice of the party. Similarly, he also supported another choice for the Senate Presidency as against the party’s choice, yet wants to fake his love for President Tinubu.
But gladly, the President is wiser and always a thousand steps ahead of him. “He will never have the soul of Abia APC to use as a tool against the President, come 2027”, one of those who attended said.
As the 2027 general election approaches, it is imperative that the APC in Abia State unites behind a common purpose. OUK’s self-serving actions and media stunts for withered political relevance must be checked and condemned by all men of goodwill, and party members must come together to ensure the party’s survival. The party’s leadership must take a strong stance against his attempts to undermine the party’s unity and progress.
These actions have exposed his true intentions and raised serious concerns about his commitment to the APC. As the party looks to the future, it is essential that members prioritize the party’s unity and progress over personal ambitions. The people of Abia State deserve a leader who will serve their interests, not just a select few. The party must belong to the people not an individual, his model killed his PPA, we will not allow him kill APC in Abia state . State chairman of the party should meet with party leaders and call for a constitutionally recognised meeting as soon as possible.
Desmond Obasi, a public affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia, Abia State capital
