Abia State Apc Supports Kalu’S Proposal For Otti To Rejoin The Ruling Party

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its support for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. They are calling on Governor Alex Otti to return to the ruling party at the centre as the Labour Party (LP) is anticipated to be ousted in 2027.

Meanwhile, the state Executive Council of the party has announced its intention to suspend Okey Ezeala for falsely identifying himself as the APC Publicity Secretary in the state and releasing an unauthorized statement on behalf of the exco.

Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, the Abia APC Chairman, affirmed the party’s stance in a statement on Saturday. He described Ezeala as an inconsistent and unreliable individual who engages in anti-party activities and unauthorized utterances.

Ononogbu informed that the state exco will summon Ezeala, who allegedly apologized to the state governor on behalf of the party, to clarify when he became the spokesperson of Abia APC and who authorized him. He further stated that Ezeala’s role as the party’s publicity secretary ended when he decided to run for the position of the state House of Assembly in the 2023 election. In accordance with the rules, Ezeala should have relinquished his role at that time.

The Abia APC Chairman also assured party members that the new publicity secretary of the party in the state will be announced soon. He urged APC members in Abia to remain calm as the state Executive Committee addresses the issue. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of unity and unwavering support for the Deputy Speaker, as well as the need to work hard to gain more support for the party and ultimately take over the government in Abia by 2027.

The statement read: “We came across a news report where Okey Ezeala apologized to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, claiming he was apologizing on behalf of the APC for the invitation extended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to the Abia Governor to join APC.

Okey Ezeala’s apology is unauthorized, fake, unsolicited, hypocritical, and disrespectful towards the person and office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu. Ezeala claimed he was apologizing on behalf of the APC. This is a lie! Numerous APC stalwarts have aligned themselves with Hon. Benjamin Kalu in his invitation to Governor Otti. Therefore, we want to make it abundantly clear that we stand with our leader, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and call on Governor Otti to return home.”

Ezeala’s false claim of being the publicity secretary of the party in the state amounts to impersonation. The party will summon him in the upcoming days to provide explanations regarding his appointment as the party’s spokesperson. As we encourage our party members to increase the party’s membership, we firmly support the Deputy Speaker’s call to Governor Otti.