APC Not Owned By Tinubu Or Anyone – Says Deputy Speaker Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday declared that no individual, including President Bola Tinubu, owns the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that Kalu made the remark in Umuahia while addressing party stakeholders during the APC ward congress in Abia State.

The Deputy Speaker, who doubles as the APC leader in Abia, urged members to embrace unity and cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the party belongs to all its members.

He said the ongoing congress was designed to foster inclusion and collective ownership.

“It is nothing else but a congress of harmonisation.

“And harmonisation is where stakeholders are given a sense of belonging in deciding who will lead from their ward to their local government, as well as the state.

“It is where everybody is given a sense of importance, of relevance, where it will be made obvious that no one man will own the party, not Benjamin Kalu, not anybody,” Kalu said.

Kalu further disclosed that President Tinubu shares the same vision of collective leadership.

“That is the vision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When I met with him, he said, I can’t even say my party, I like saying our party,” he added.

The lawmaker said the party’s primary focus was to eliminate internal divisions and build a united front anchored on discipline, inclusion and purpose.

According to him, the harmonisation process is aimed at strengthening the party’s cohesion and positioning it strongly for the 2027 general elections.

Kalu explained that the earlier ward congress had to be cancelled due to the emergence of multiple forms in the state, contrary to the directive of the party’s national leadership.

He said the leadership resolved that there was no need to proceed with any other congress apart from the harmonised process, which it believed would reinforce unity within the state chapter.

The APC had earlier rescheduled its Ward and Local Government congresses for February 25 and 26 after resolving its internal conflicts.

The party also reaffirmed its commitment to unity, expansion and adequate preparation for the 2027 polls.