Abia Zoning Arrangements: APC Reverses Itself, Throws Governorship Race Open

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

Following serious political backlash that trailed the zoning of its gubernatorial ticket to a  particular zone of the State, the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has reversed itself within 24 hours.

The Source reports that the State Working Committee of the Party on Thursday April 30, 2026, in a statement informed that the 2027 Governorship ticket had been domiciled in the Abia Central Senatorial District where the incumbent Governor Alex Otti hails from.

The party had, also, cited the need to ensure equity, justice, fair play, and balanced representation across the three Senatorial Districts as a  major reason for its action.

However, the duo of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mascot Uzor Kalu, a younger sibling of a former Governor of the State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, immediately spearheaded a coordinated attack and condemnation of the policy.

While Mascot described the  zoning arrangement as  “frivolous, reckless, unconstitutional unacceptable,and entirely alien to all known precedents of the APC in the state, the Deputy Speaker of the green chamber of the National Assembly, through his political office, Benjamin Okezie Kalu -BOK- Movement, saw it as hasty, ill-timed and lacking broad consultations with key stakeholders across the three Senatorial Districts.

Both frontline contenders for  the State’s 2027 gubernatorial seat, vehemently rejected the zoning arrangement, which they also warned has the potential of undermining and eroding the peace, unity and electoral fortunes of the party in the State.

In reversing itself, the Abia APC leadership on Friday, May I, 2026, in a statement from its spokesperson, Uche Aguoru, said its action was at the instance of the National body of the party.

“Following concerns raised by stakeholders and leaders of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Abia State, the National Leadership of the party has reviewed  the concerns raised.

“Consequently, the party has directed that all zoning arrangements earlier issued by the State Working Committee, SWC, be jettisoned. The party will, therefore, maintain the status quo.

By this directive, all aspirants interested in contesting for any position from the House of Assembly, Representatives, Senate, and Governorship, are hereby advised that they are free to approach the party and purchase their nomination forms before the stipulated deadline as outlined by the party”, the APC stated.