The former Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, has emerged as the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, following what party stakeholders described as one of the most peaceful congresses in the party’s history.
Chukwu was unanimously elected at the state congress hold in Umuahia, a development widely applauded by party faithful as a significant step toward unity and consolidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his acceptance remarks, the new chairman described his emergence as a collective victory for all members of the party.
“We are no longer talking about my party, but our party. This victory is not mine alone, it belongs to all of us”, he said.
He pledged to reposition the APC in the state, strengthen its internal structures, and drive aggressive membership mobilization across the 84 wards of Abia, with a target of increasing party membership from over 160,000 to 500,000.
He said the new position was a call to service, responsibility, unity, and hard work, adding that going forward, there would be no more faction and division. “It is time for reconciliation. It is time for consolidation. We must strengthen our structures and prepare for greater victories ahead”,he said.
Chukwu, however, emphasized that the era of viewing the party merely as a vehicle for political appointments had end, noting that the APC’s focus would now shift decisively toward winning elections from the ward level to the local government and state levels.
“Time is gone when people see the party as a vehicle for political appointment. Our drive is to win elections, from the wards to the LGAs and the state. It is achievable”, he stated.
Taking a swipe at critics on social media, he added, “Those making noise on the internet should understand that there is no polling booth on social media. You can have all the media space, but we will have the people”.
Citing the recent election in the Federal Capital Territory as a case study, Chukwu stressed the importance of grassroots mobilization and physical voter engagement.
He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as focused leadership, that has translated into renewed momentum for the party nationwide.
“With unity, discipline, and commitment, there is no limit to what we can achieve. The tigers are here, the antelopes are here, who is remaining in the bush?”, he said in a metaphorical expression of confidence in the party’s growing strength.
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In an interview shortly after his emergence, Chukwu expressed deep satisfaction with the conduct of the congress.
“I feel good, not just because I emerged as chairman, but because this is the first time in the history of the APC, from the days of ACN, that we are having a rancour-free congress devoid of skirmishes and bitterness,” he said.
He noted that major leaders of the party, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North, Sen Orji Kalu, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Chief Henry Ikoh, among others are now speaking with one voice.
Addressing concerns about possible grievances within the party, Chukwu maintained that peace-building is a continuous process.
“In a very large family, there are bound to be misgivings. We talk about diversity in unity and unity in diversity. We cannot all think alike. But for those with one misgiving or the other, that is our responsibility. Peace-building is a process; it does not come without cost,” he said.
He disclosed that one of his first assignments would be to reach out to members who were absent from the congress.
“We will look at those we didn’t see here today, those who stayed back deliberately. Though they may be few, every number is important in party politics. We will appeal to them, understand their grievances, and restore peace and harmony in the family,” he assured.
Chukwu also highlighted recent gains by the party, including the defection of three members of the state assembly and the alignment of several former Speakers of the House with the APC.
Recalling his tenure as the Minority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, the new State chairman said while at the House of Assembly, he had only three Lawmakers to his side, adding that he was able to manage the situation without any one leaving the party.
“I did not lose a single member to another party, while other parties lost over 15 members. I had to deploy soft skills in managing the party”, he said confidently.
