By Musa Baba Adamu
A socio-political group in Abia State, Reality Organisation, has rejected allegations of anti-party activity against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as an attempt to intimidate the former governor and prominent party leader.
The organisation also warned that continued exclusion and alleged intimidation of party stakeholders could trigger a fresh faction within the Abia APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its representative, Dimgba Okereke, the group said the APC leadership in the state should focus on strengthening the party rather than threatening disciplinary action against its prominent members.
The statement followed a communiqué issued on Monday by the Abia APC State Working Committee, in which the party condemned comments attributed to Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta and demanded public apologies over alleged anti-party conduct.
Reality Organisation, however, disputed the APC’s interpretation of Kalu’s comments, insisting that the senator did not endorse Governor Alex Otti or the Labour Party during the television interview cited by the party leadership.
According to the group, Kalu was asked whether President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election and answered in the affirmative.
He was similarly asked whether Governor Otti would win the 2027 governorship election and also answered yes.
The organisation said Kalu, however, expressly denied that the APC had an alliance with Otti when asked about the matter.
“Where, therefore, is the endorsement? Is a prediction now synonymous with an endorsement? Has political analysis suddenly become anti-party activity?” the group asked.
It argued that a political prediction should not be confused with an endorsement, describing Kalu’s remarks as an assessment of the political situation rather than an expression of support for the Labour Party.
The group said, “A prediction is an assessment of what one believes may happen; an endorsement is an expression of support for a candidate or cause.”
It further urged the Abia APC leadership to regard Kalu’s prediction as an opportunity for introspection rather than a reason to threaten disciplinary proceedings.
According to the organisation, if the party genuinely wants to win the 2027 governorship election, it should examine the circumstances that informed Kalu’s assessment and take steps to improve its political standing in the state.
“Rather than reaching for threats and disciplinary proceedings, they should be asking themselves what shortcomings within the party could produce such a prediction and what must be done to change the political equation before 2027,” it said.
Reality Organisation also accused the Abia APC leadership of applying what it described as double standards in dealing with political statements involving Kalu.
The group cited an article published before the APC’s National Assembly primaries which, according to it, predicted political difficulties for Kalu even if he secured the party’s senatorial ticket.
It questioned why those who are currently demanding disciplinary action against the senator did not react with similar intensity to the earlier prediction.
“Where were Chijioke Chukwu and his colleagues then? What was their reaction? Where was the communiqué? Where was the righteous indignation?” the organisation asked.
It described the alleged disparity as “selective outrage” and warned that such an approach could deepen existing divisions within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation also rejected what it described as attempts by individuals or factions to monopolize the affairs of the Abia APC.
“Benjamin Kalu does not own it. Chijioke Chukwu does not own it. Neither does any collection of political cronies have the authority to convert a national political party into a private estate where disagreement is punished and independent thought is treated as rebellion,” it said.
The group warned that continued alleged intimidation, segregation and exclusion of stakeholders could lead to another organizational crisis within the state chapter.
It said genuine APC members who had contributed to the party’s growth would not remain silent if the alleged trend continued.
“If this culture of segregation, intimidation, high-handedness and impunity continues, then, by the grace of God, genuine and patriotic members of the Abia APC will have no alternative but to unveil a dedicated State Working Committee to run the affairs of the party and provide the inclusive leadership that members across Abia State deserve,” it warned.
Reality Organisation maintained that the strength of the APC should ultimately be tested at the ballot box and not through disciplinary threats.
It challenged the party leadership to reconcile aggrieved members, end perceived segregation, produce a credible governorship candidate and mobilize voters if it disagreed with Kalu’s prediction.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s prediction should provoke introspection, not persecution. If the Abia APC disagrees with his assessment, the answer is simple: organize the party, reconcile aggrieved members, end segregation, present a credible candidate, mobilize Abians and prove the prediction wrong at the ballot box.
“That is democracy. Threats, selective disciplinary proceedings and political grandstanding will not win an election,” the group stated.
It urged APC stakeholders in Abia to prioritize reconciliation, inclusiveness and unity, warning that internal disputes and alleged persecution of prominent members could undermine the party’s prospects in 2027.
The organisation ended its statement with a warning to those it accused of attempting to monopolize the party’s affairs: “Enough is enough.”
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