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By Emma Njoku
After years of internal division, the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has closed ranks to raise a united and formidable front that would challenge the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state, in the 2027 polls.
Daily Sun gathered that the move signaled a deliberate effort to stabilise structures, rebuild trust, and present a united front capable of competing effectively. It was further revealed that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was at the centre of the reconciliation following his patient engagement with party stakeholders, which helped to ease tensions across factions. Party chieftains disclosed that Kalu reached out to groups that had previously felt excluded from decision making.
During the ward congresses held on February 25, 2026, in Bende, the Reps deputy speaker had stressed that the party belonged to all members collectively, thereby, encouraging participation and shared ownership of outcomes. The process, described by party officials as harmonisation, allowed ward and local government leaders to emerge through consensus within the framework set by the national leadership. The outcome, according to insiders, was a calmer exercise that contrasted sharply with past congresses marked by disputes and parallel structures.
Daily Sun further learnt that another key figure in the reconciliation is a former federal lawmaker, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, widely known among party faithful as Mama Party. She was said to have provided an emotional anchor to the process by appealing to party members to exercise restraint and embrace unity.
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Her maternal presence and emphasis on dialogue were said to have helped to bridge generational and ideological divides, thus complementing the legislative influence brought by Kalu. Party leaders noted that the conduct of the 2026 congresses defined a new chapter for the APC in Abia State.
Party stakeholders told Daily Sun that potential flashpoints were addressed through dialogue and, where necessary, adjustments to timetables to ensure inclusivity. It was revealed that by dissolving competing tendencies into a single structure aligned with national guidelines, the party avoided the disruptions that had previously weakened its grassroots base.
Party officials noted that the current unity would strengthen ties between the South East and the federal centre, as well as position the party as a credible challenger to the ruling Labour Party in Abia State in next year’s elections. The aim, they add, is to transform the APC from a marginal presence into a competitive force capable of winning statewide support.
Meanwhile, the national leadership has been praised by state actors for backing the reconciliation process. Commendations were directed at the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, for what party members described as steadfast guidance and adherence to internal democratic principles.
The National Welfare Secretary of the APC, Hon. (Chief) Donatus Enyinnaya Nwankpa, a native son of Abia, has also garnered accolades for his tireless efforts in fostering unity within the Abia APC and the South-East region at large. From stabilisation in 2025 to renewed momentum in 2026, the Abia APC’s experience underscores the political value of inclusion over imposition. By prioritising dialogue, consensus and respect for party structures, leaders believe dissent has been reduced and confidence restored.
