It has been just 24 hours to the National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 25, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has suspended its Abia North senatorial candidate in the elections, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, from the party for engaging in anti-party activities.
The decision was made known in a letter signed by the Disciplinary Committee chairman, Barr. Paul Nwabuisi; state secretary of the party, Chief Chidi Avaja, and party chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu. This suspension took effect immediately.
As an ex-governor of Abia State, Senator Kalu has been representing Abia North in the Senate since 2007 and currently holds the office of Senate Chief Whip.
His suspension comes as a surprise, especially since he has been a powerful figure in the APC within the state.
The letter cited several examples of anti-party activities that Senator Kalu had been engaging in, such as accepting meetings and endorsements from opposition parties, as well as publicly supporting their activities. The letter also stated that Senator Kalu had shown disrespect to the party hierarchy, and failed to adhere to the rules and regulations of the APC as well as the code of ethics.
The suspension of Senator Kalu has caused shockwaves across the state. Many believe that this decision might have a significant impact on the outcome of the National Assembly elections, as the APC would have to find a new candidate to replace him in the short span of time left before the election day.
“The suspension is as a result of thorough investigations and recommendations of the disciplinary committee set up by Igbere Ward A, Bende LGA and the leadership of the party,” the letter said.
The letter, entitled ‘Notification on Suspension’ which was addressed to the Senator, said the action “is in consonance with Article 21b (i-v) of the Constitution of the party.
“Note that the party is highly committed to her integrity and as such will not condone any of these afore-stated acts and other forms of anti-party activities.”
The letter, which was copied to the national chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, added that “having evidence substantial enough for your suspension, the integrity of the party must be protected.”
Prime 9ja Online recalls that the development in the Abia State chapter of the APC might be unconnected to Senator Kalu’s recent TV interview, where he openly said that he cannot endorse the State governorship candidate of the party against his own blood brother contesting for the same position on the platform of another political party.