In a significant move to stabilize the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, former political office holders who served between 1999 and 2023 convened a virtual meeting on **Monday, May 4, 2026**. Operating under the banner of “**Our Team 1999–2023**,” the group intervened decisively in the escalating leadership crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.
The ongoing tussle pits **Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu**, against **Senator Orji Uzor Kalu**, a former governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North. Both leaders have publicly claimed authority to coordinate the affairs of the Abia APC, each citing directives from **President Bola Ahmed Tinubu**. The competing claims, which surfaced prominently in late April 2026 through separate public statements, have created confusion and heightened tensions within the party structure.
**Our Team 1999–2023** comprises a broad coalition of experienced politicians, bureaucrats, and technocrats who held various elective and appointive positions under the administrations of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (1999–2007), Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, and Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. The group, reportedly brought together by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as its leader, issued a communiqué through its Technical Committee—headed by Professor A.C.B. Agbazuere—following the May 4 virtual meeting.
### Urgent Call for Unity
In the communiqué, the group issued a strong warning against “self-destructive attacks,” media hostilities, and needless infighting. They stressed that continued crisis could lead to the total implosion of the Abia APC, severely undermining the party’s ability to mobilize support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and weakening its prospects in the crucial Abia governorship race.
The former office holders emphasized the need for **unity, mutual respect, and a credible governorship primary process**. They urged all party leaders to prioritize the broader interest of the APC in Abia State and the nation over personal ambitions, calling on warring factions to immediately sheath their swords and work collaboratively.
This intervention comes at a critical time as the APC positions itself to challenge the incumbent Labour Party (LP) administration led by Governor Alex Otti in 2027. Analysts view the reconciliation effort as an attempt by seasoned stakeholders to prevent the party from squandering its potential gains through internal divisions, especially given the high stakes of contributing meaningfully to Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda at the national level.
The May 4 meeting and subsequent communiqué highlight the influential role of cross-administration veterans in Abia politics. Their call for calm reflects deep concerns that unchecked rivalry between two of the state’s most prominent APC figures—both from Abia North—could alienate other zones and weaken the party’s overall organizational strength.
As Abia APC grapples with these challenges, the success of reconciliation efforts may determine whether the party can present a united front ahead of the next electoral cycle.