From Kenneth Udeh, Umuahia.
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, has withdrawn its earlier threat to sanction former Abia State Governor and Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, and the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chris Nkwonta, over alleged anti-party remarks.
The decision was reached on Sunday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s new secretariat on Finbarrs Road, Umuahia, barely two weeks after the State Working Committee (SWC) issued a 14-day ultimatum directing the two federal lawmakers to publicly apologise for comments allegedly interpreted as support for the re-election of Labour Party Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election.
However, neither Kalu nor Nkwonta publicly tendered the apology demanded by the party within the stipulated period. Instead, the state leadership opted to withdraw the threat and resolve the matter through reconciliation.
The SWC, at its meeting of August 10, had accused the lawmakers of conduct allegedly inimical to the interests of the party and contrary to provisions of the APC Constitution, particularly Article 21.2 (11), which provides for disciplinary action against members whose conduct is considered detrimental to the party.
The party had consequently directed Kalu and Nkwonta to tender public apologies to the APC, its leadership, members and supporters in Abia, while reaffirming their commitment to the party, its constitution and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly the party’s governorship candidate.
The SWC had warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in the constitution of a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter and make recommendations to the appropriate organs of the party.
But at Sunday’s stakeholders’ meeting, the APC leadership appeared to back down from the threatened disciplinary action, with the chairman, Chukwu, emphasizing the need to rebuild unity and reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chukwu acknowledged that the party’s recent primaries and congresses had generated disagreements and dissatisfaction among members, noting that the leadership was prepared to accept responsibility for shortcomings in the interest of reconciliation.
“If there is anybody that should be blamed, I take responsibility first before members of the State Working Committee,” Chukwu said.
The chairman urged members to put past disagreements behind them and work together to strengthen the party, while cautioning that future grievances should be channelled through established party structures rather than aired publicly or through the media.
The meeting also revisited the issues surrounding Kalu and Nkwonta, with Chukwu indicating that the two lawmakers had engaged the party leadership privately and explained that their comments were not intended to undermine the APC.
In a significant departure from the earlier threat of disciplinary action, the stakeholders adopted a motion seeking to bring the matter to an end.
The motion, moved by the APC candidate for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike, and seconded by Hon. Emmanuel Ndubisi, who represents Bende South in the Abia State House of Assembly, was adopted by voice vote.
The resolution effectively brought an end to the immediate threat against Kalu, Nkwonta and other members whose actions were linked to disagreements, anger, provocation or misunderstandings arising from previous party activities.
Chukwu, however, clarified that the resolution did not preclude legitimate reviews of other matters by the appropriate party authorities, stressing that future breaches of the party’s constitution and guidelines would attract appropriate sanctions.
The development comes amid efforts by the Abia APC leadership to close ranks and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, following internal disagreements arising from its primaries, congresses and other political activities.
The stakeholders’ meeting also featured the celebration of Chukwu’s birthday, which coincided with the gathering of party leaders and members at the new secretariat.
