The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from comments allegedly made by former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, declaring that he would support the incumbent governor of the state in the 2027 governorship election.
The party made its position known on Monday during an emergency meeting of the State Working Committee with chairmen of the 17 Local Government Areas, held in Umuahia.
Speaking on behalf of the party, the APC State Legal Adviser, Barrister Vigilus Nwankwo, said the party had taken note of a widely circulated video on social media in which Ogah reportedly made the statement at a public event in Isuikwuato Local Government Area.
Following Ogah’s statement, the party views it as an anti party activities against them, adding that his 2022 suspension has not been suspended.
Nwankwo explained that the party became concerned because Ogah allegedly used the opportunity to campaign for the re-election of the current governor, Alex Otti in 2027 while claiming to still be a member of the APC.
According to him, while Ogah indicated support for the APC presidential candidate, he reportedly stated that he would vote for the incumbent governor in the state governorship election, a position the party described as anti-party activity.
He noted that the APC is strongly preparing to win the Abia State governorship election in 2027 and therefore cannot condone actions capable of undermining the party’s objective.
Citing provisions of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended), Nwankwo said such conduct falls under anti-party activities, which include actions capable of embarrassing the party or bringing it into disrepute.
He further revealed that Ogah had previously been suspended from the party by his ward, a decision that was ratified by the local government and state executive structures of the APC.
According to him, the suspension remains valid as there is no record indicating that it has been lifted.
“A suspended member remains suspended until the suspension is officially lifted. As far as the party is concerned, Dr. Uche Ogah remains under suspension and therefore does not speak for the APC,” Nwankwo stated.
He added that the party would rely on the existing suspension rather than initiating a fresh disciplinary process.
Also speaking at the meeting, the party’s State Vice Chairman, Chinedu Ihesiulo, said the APC in Abia State remains united and free from internal divisions.
He urged party leaders across the 17 local government areas to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the State Secretary of the party, Chief Chidi Avuaja, announced that the party’s zonal convention will hold on March 26, while the national convention is scheduled for March 28, 2026.
Avuaja disclosed that the position of National Welfare Secretary has been zoned to Abia State and that the party leadership in the state has endorsed the incumbent, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, to retain the position.
He also revealed that two additional positionsEx-Officio and Youth Leaderhave been zoned to Abia State.
Avuaja explained that Nwankpa has served in the role for several years following the death of the former National Welfare Secretary, Barrister F. N. Nwosu.
In his remarks, the Assistant State Secretary of the party, Comrade Benedict Godson, thanked party leaders for supporting the consensus arrangement that endorsed Nwankpa for the position.
He noted that the State Working Committee unanimously agreed to present Hon. Donatus Nwankpa as the party’s consensus candidate for the office of National Welfare Secretary.
