An All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for Abia North, Dr Philips Nto, has cautioned against handing over the party’s structure in Abia to his rival, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Nto said such a move would run contrary to the principles of equity and fairness in political contests, arguing that Orji Kalu lacks the capacity to unite APC members in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Umuahia, Nto dismissed speculation that the Abia APC structure had been handed over to Orji Kalu.
He maintained that about 90 per cent of APC members in the state, including members of the party’s executive, support the leadership of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
According to Nto, Benjamin Kalu remains the recognised leader of the APC in Abia, describing him as a unifying figure for both longstanding members and recent defectors from other political parties.
The former Abia Commissioner for Finance also noted that while Benjamin Kalu enjoys the respect and loyalty of party members, Orji Kalu has largely remained in Abuja.
There, he was allegedly seeking an automatic ticket.
Referring to a directive by President Bola Tinubu that National Assembly members should return to their constituencies to participate in party primaries, Nto called on Orji Kalu to engage with party members at the grassroots.
“Now that President Bola Tinubu has categorically stated that all National Assembly members should go home and contest primaries under the supervision of their governors.
“We are waiting for our senator to come to the field to join us,” he said.
Nto expressed confidence in his chances at the primaries, stating that constituents in Abia North are dissatisfied with the current representation.
He also commended Benjamin Kalu’s leadership, crediting him with attracting prominent politicians in Abia to the APC.
“Benjamin Kalu has shown exceptional capacity for leadership. He is our leader. He has mobilised all of us for Tinubu. So we should continue to support him,” Nto added.
