The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chris Nkwonta 14 days to publicly apologise over comments the party considers anti-party, or face possible disciplinary action.

The State Working Committee (SWC), led by the Chairman Chijioke Chukwu, took the decision at a meeting in Umuahia after Kalu claimed on national television that Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) would win re-election in 2027, while Nkwonta, at a reception for the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Ukwa East, said he would vote for Otti.

According to a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the SWC unanimously described both statements as unstatesmanlike, embarrassing and inimical to the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects ahead of 2027. The committee said the conduct violated Article 21.2(11) of the APC Constitution, which allows disciplinary action against members whose conduct undermines the party.

The SWC demanded that both lawmakers tender unreserved public apologies demonstrating commitment to the party and its 2027 candidates within the stipulated period, warning that failure to comply would result in a disciplinary committee being constituted to recommend sanctions. It further resolved that political support and privileges could be withdrawn from either lawmaker if their conduct was established to be inimical to the party’s interest.

The APC in Abia said it remained committed to party unity and to winning the governorship and all legislative seats in the state in 2027. (The Nation)