Umuahia, Abia State – January 5, 2026: The All Progressives Congress (APC) is steadily rebuilding its structure and expanding its influence in Abia State, positioning itself as a strong contender ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to a statement from the APC South-East Mandate Forum.
The forum, in a release issued in Umuahia on Monday, asserted that recent political activities across communities in the state indicate a clear shift in public alignment, even as Abia remains under the governance of the Labour Party (LP).
Chief Onyebuchi Okorie, coordinator of the APC South-East Mandate Forum, credited the renewed momentum to strategic grassroots efforts led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Okorie described Kalu's leadership as central to triggering a wave of defections from the Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other platforms.
The statement highlighted events where thousands of former members reportedly renounced their previous affiliations, publicly tore their membership cards, and declared for the APC in grassroots gatherings across wards and local government areas.
“In recent times, we have witnessed events where thousands of former members of the Labour Party, PDP and other parties openly renounced their affiliations, tore their membership cards, and willingly identified with the APC because they see direction, leadership and seriousness of purpose,” the forum stated.
It further noted: “This is not a movement restricted to political big men. It is a people-driven process. The confidence level of party members has increased, and more people are joining the party.”
The group portrayed the developments as a "reawakening of grassroots politics" in Abia, where ordinary citizens are reconnecting with a party perceived to understand their realities. According to the forum, defectors are drawn not solely by dissatisfaction with other parties but by the belief that the APC offers voice, relevance, and protection.
The forum alleged that the scale of these defections reflects growing frustration among residents with the performance and direction of the current LP-led administration under Governor Alex Otti. It claimed the LP is gradually losing its grip as grassroots support weakens, while the APC emerges as a more organised alternative.
“What we are seeing is the reawakening of grassroots politics in Abia, where ordinary citizens feel reconnected to a party that speaks their language and understands their everyday realities,” the statement read.
Emphasising that the shift transcends routine party switching, the forum described it as a deeper realignment with potential to shape the 2027 elections. “What is happening today is not noise; it is structure. It is not propaganda; it is participation. The APC is steadily regaining its footing in Abia state.”
The statement praised Kalu's role, noting his position as Deputy Speaker provides a bridge between national authority and local aspirations, reassuring new members. “And at the centre of this reawakening is a leader who understands that political victory begins from the grassroots,” it concluded.
This announcement coincides with other recent political moves in Abia, including the defection of former Governor Theodore Orji from the PDP to the APC on the same day, further bolstering the ruling party's presence in the South-East. Additionally, Deputy Speaker Kalu has been actively engaging stakeholders across Abia's three senatorial zones to promote unity and mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
Political observers note that Abia has historically been a challenging terrain for the APC, with the LP securing a surprise victory in 2023 amid widespread dissatisfaction with the then-ruling PDP. The forum's claims of mass defections, if sustained, could signal intensifying competition as parties gear up for 2027.
However, opposition figures in the state have yet to respond publicly to the forum's assertions. Governor Otti's administration continues to focus on infrastructure and economic reforms, maintaining strong approval ratings in some polls.
The APC's push in Abia aligns with broader efforts to strengthen its foothold in the South-East, a region where it has traditionally lagged behind. Recent high-profile entries, including former PDP stalwarts, have been hailed by party supporters as evidence of growing national appeal.
As 2027 approaches, developments in Abia underscore the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, with grassroots mobilisation and defections likely to play pivotal roles in determining electoral outcomes.
