Mascot Uzor Kalu has strongly condemned what he described as an alleged plot by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State to impose a preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election, warning that such actions could destabilize the party.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, Kalu said his attention had been drawn to a stakeholders’ meeting reportedly convened in Umuahia, where party executives, local government chairmen, and selected stakeholders were allegedly instructed to mobilize participants under the pretext of supporting the reelection campaign of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, credible information suggests the gathering is instead a “premeditated plan” to endorse a particular aspirant through what he termed an “endorsement charade.”
Kalu maintained that any form of consensus arrangement initiated without the involvement of all aspirants would be considered illegitimate and unacceptable. He stressed that such moves would be resisted firmly.
“Any premeditated consensus arrangement orchestrated without the participation of all aspirants contesting for the same position is null and void,” he stated.
The governorship hopeful further accused the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) of potentially undermining internal democracy, warning that the APC in Abia must not be reduced to a vehicle for personal ambition or narrow political interests.
He urged party leaders to uphold fairness, due process, and neutrality, emphasizing that their mandate is to strengthen party unity rather than promote individual candidates.
Kalu also declared his determination to remain in the race, dismissing any suggestion that he might step down under pressure. He reaffirmed that every citizen has the constitutional right to contest for public office.
“No amount of intimidation will make me step down,” he said, adding that attempts to present any individual as a consensus candidate without due process would not stand.
He further cautioned members of the APC leadership in the state against attending meetings allegedly convened by aspirants, warning that any action capable of compromising the integrity of the party would be strongly challenged.
The development signals growing tension within the Abia APC as early alignments and power struggles begin to surface ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
