The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday concluded its state congress with the emergence of former lawmaker representing Bende North State Constituency, Chijioke Chukwu, as the new state chairman.

The congress, conducted through a consensus arrangement, ended with party leaders expressing confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure an overwhelming victory in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after the exercise, Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Emmanuel Goar, commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the Local Organising Committee led by Mark Wabara for ensuring a smooth process.

Goar explained that the congress structure comprised four committees — Screening Committee, Screening Appeal Committee, Main Congress Committee and Congress Appeal Committee — which worked collaboratively to guarantee a credible outcome.

“We started with the ward congresses and moved to the local government congresses. What starts well ends well. We began on a good footing, and we are ending on a good footing,” he said, adding that resolutions were signed by stakeholders across wards and local governments before ratification at the state level.

The APC National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwankpa, declared that the party had “come of age” in Abia and was poised to reclaim the Government House in 2027.

He disclosed that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkeiru Onyejeocha, participated in the congress, describing their presence as a sign of unity and renewed resolve.

“It is onward to Government House in 2027. APC is not in any compromise with any party, and we are going to give President Tinubu overwhelming majority votes,” Nwankpa said.

Addressing party members, Kalu said the congress marked a new phase of party administration anchored on harmonisation and internal reconciliation.

“The party is stronger and healthier. Come 2027, we are not negotiating 25 per cent. We have no alternative candidate other than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. On his mandate we shall stand,” he stated.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mark Wabara, described the consensus process as peaceful and inclusive. Other stakeholders, including Emeka Nwogu, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu and Henry Ikoh, said the party had been repositioned to win all elective positions in 2027.

An APC chieftain from Obingwa Local Government Area, Ihuoma Ogbonna, also praised Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the peaceful conduct of the congresses from ward to state level reflected growing cohesion within the party.

In his acceptance speech, Chukwu pledged to run an inclusive administration and strengthen party structures across the state ahead of 2027.

“With unity, discipline and commitment, there is no limit to what we can achieve in this state,” he said.