Abia State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sir Mascot Uzor Kalu, has rejected what he described as an alleged attempt to impose a candidate on the party through a planned endorsement meeting in Umuahia.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kalu alleged that members of the APC State Executive, LGA chairmen, and selected stakeholders were mobilised under the guise of a meeting for the re-election campaign of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but insisted that the gathering may be aimed at endorsing a preferred aspirant.
He warned that any consensus arrangement carried out without the involvement of all aspirants would be “null and void” and unacceptable.
“The APC must not be reduced to a tool for personal ambition. Party executives were elected to uphold fairness and internal democracy, not to impose candidates,” Kalu stated.
The APC aspirant cautioned the State Working Committee (SWC) against engaging in actions capable of undermining party unity, stressing that neutrality and due process must guide all internal activities.
“The era of coercion and backdoor arrangements is over,” he added.
Kalu also reaffirmed his determination to remain in the race, declaring that he would not be pressured to step down.
“No amount of intimidation will make me step aside. Every Abian has the constitutional right to contest,” he said.
He further urged party officials to avoid attending meetings convened by aspirants or interest groups, warning that the integrity of the APC in Abia must be protected.
The development highlights emerging internal tensions within the Abia APC as stakeholders position ahead of the 2027 governorship primaries.