Hundreds of youths on Monday staged a protest in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, calling on former Governor of the state and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to step aside from elective politics and allow younger politicians to emerge.
The youths unanimously endorsed Dr. Phillips Nto as their preferred candidate for the Abia North Senate seat, insisting that he would offer better representation than the former governor.
The protesters marched through major streets in Umuahia before arriving at the All Progressives Congress secretariat on Azikiwe Road, where they submitted a protest letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the state leadership of the party.
In the letter, the youths expressed dissatisfaction with Senator Kalu’s leadership style, accusing him of sidelining young people and treating them like modern-day slaves.
The letter was signed by Dr. Uchenna Kalu Akpi, Mr. Kingsley Olugu and Bro. Vitals Igbokwe on behalf of groups including the Old Bende Political Forum, Abia Youths Christian Assembly and Abia North Young Professionals for Tinubu’s Mandate.
The groups urged President Tinubu to deny Senator Kalu the APC senatorial ticket for another term, citing what they described as poor representation.
They stated that the people of Abia North were not conquered people and deserved the opportunity to choose a new representative through a transparent democratic process.
According to them, Senator Kalu had continued to act as though the Abia North Senate seat belonged permanently to him while allegedly dominating federal appointments meant for party loyalists and constituents.
The protesters also questioned why the senator was seeking a third term in the Senate while his younger brother was equally pursuing the governorship ticket of the APC in the state.
The youths appealed to President Tinubu to free the zone from what they described as Senator Kalu’s political stranglehold by supporting the emergence of Dr. Phillips Nto as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
They described Nto as a grassroots politician, seasoned academic and experienced administrator who understands the challenges facing the youths and ordinary people of Abia North.
Speaking to the protesters, Abia APC State Chairman, Hon Chijioke Chukwu who spoke through the publicity secretary, Chief Uche Aguoru, assured them that their letter would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
He also disclosed that the party would adopt direct primaries in selecting its candidates and assured all aspirants of a level playing field.
Aguoru urged the youths to remain peaceful and continue mobilising support for their preferred aspirant.
