By Suleiman Ibrahim
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) has declared that the South East geopolitical zone has reached a consensus to support President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027.
This declaration came as Abia State stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) resolved to unite and work towards delivering President Tinubu and capturing the state government from the Labour Party (LP) in the upcoming elections.
The resolutions were made at the conclusion of an Abia APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Kalu’s Abuja residence over the weekend. The meeting saw the attendance of prominent APC figures, including the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwankpa, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and other key party members.
Speaking to journalists, Kalu expressed satisfaction with the newfound unity within the Abia APC, attributing it to President Tinubu’s directive during the recent APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. “We are more united now than ever because President Tinubu during the last APC NEC meeting gave us directive to go and reconcile members of the party in our States,” Kalu said.
He emphasized the benefits of aligning with the federal government, highlighting the ongoing federal interventions in Abia North Senatorial District. He also stated, “The consensus of the South East over 2027 is that the zone will do very well in supporting President Tinubu and I challenge them to mark my words.”
Kalu also relayed that President Tinubu had expressed concern about the political situation in Abia state, and that he has assured the president that the party would unite, and bring Abia state back into the fold.
APC National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwankpa, stated that the meeting was aimed at redirecting the party and consolidating its recent gains. He noted the significant influx of members from other parties into the Abia APC. He also stated that “We want to assure the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that APC is not going to beg anybody to give him 25 per cent, but we are assuring him that APC will come first in 2027 elections in Abia State and that Abia State APC endorses his continuity as the President of Nigeria for the purpose of actualising those policies, those economic and social reforms that he has started.”
Nwankpa also called for unity among party leaders, urging them to set aside personal differences and work towards the party’s success in 2027. He also stated that the party will not support the current governors re election.
