Abia APC to attend LG, unified ward congresses
Following instructions from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is scheduled to hold its unified ward and local government congresses.
Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, told party members in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, that the decision to hold unified congresses was made after discussions among the party’s highest governing bodies, such as the National Executive Committee and the National Caucus.
According to Rt Hon Kalu, the decision was made in order to strengthen unity and reduce internal tensions before upcoming elections.
“Instead of holding parallel congresses that might exacerbate divisions, the party leadership decided that a single, inclusive process would best maintain unity within the party.”
He claimed that President Bola Tinubu, whom he characterized as a devoted democrat insisted that party structures must reflect collective ownership rather than individual control, supported this strategy.
The President stated unequivocally that the caucus and NEC’s decisions were final and could not be changed by any one person or organization.
“The National Working Committee was activated and congress committees were reorganized to conform to the established framework as a result of disagreements that surfaced during the earlier phases of the congress planning, which prompted new intervention by the party’s national leadership.
“Party stakeholders across wards, local governments, and the state are expected to reach consensus on leadership positions under the harmonization model, ensuring that all interests are represented.”
Kalu said this was essential for restoring confidence among grassroots members and strengthening the party’s electoral prospects.
The party announced that ward congresses would hold on February 25, followed by local government congresses on February 26.
It was revealed that representatives of Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are anticipated to keep an eye on the exercises, while representatives of the national congress, screening, and appeal committees have been dispatched to Abia to supervise the procedure.
The chairman of the APC ward and local government congress committee, Emmanuel Goar, stated that the committee is operating strictly within the national leadership’s mandate for harmonisation.
He gave members his word that the procedure would be open and represent the wishes of all party members.
Mac Wabara, who leads a seven-person Abia committee that collaborates with the national organization, expressed gratitude to party leaders for their trust in his group and promised that they would follow established protocols when holding the congresses.
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