Abia Congress: No Individual Owns APC, Not Even Tinubu — Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday declared that no individual, including President Bola Tinubu, owns the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kalu made the assertion in Umuahia while addressing party stakeholders during the APC ward congress in Abia State.

He urged members to embrace unity and cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the party belongs to all its members. The Deputy Speaker, who is regarded as the APC leader in Abia, said the focus of the party was to eliminate internal divisions and build a united front anchored on discipline, inclusion and shared purpose.

The party had earlier rescheduled its Ward and Local Government congresses for February 25 and 26 after resolving internal conflicts. It reaffirmed its commitment to unity, expansion and adequate preparation for the 2027 general elections.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the earlier cancellation of the congress, Kalu said the exercise was called off because multiple forms were reportedly being used in the state, contrary to the directive of the party’s national leadership.

According to him, the leadership resolved that there was no need for parallel processes and opted instead for a harmonised congress aimed at strengthening party cohesion.

“It is nothing else but a congress of harmonisation,” Kalu said.

“Harmonisation is where stakeholders are given a sense of belonging in deciding who will lead from their ward to their local government and up to the state level.

“It is where everybody is given a sense of importance and relevance, and where it is made clear that no one man owns the party — not Benjamin Kalu, not anybody.

“That is the vision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When I met with him, he said, ‘I can’t even say my party; I prefer to say our party.’”