The Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the suspension of Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics, Abia State University (ABSU), over comments concerning salaries paid to academic staff of the institution.

The party described the suspension as unjust and called on the Abia State Government and the management of ABSU to immediately reinstate the academic.

Addressing journalists, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Chief Uche Aguoru, said Prof. Nwaeze was a known voice in the state who had consistently spoken against what he considered bad governance and injustice.

Aguoru said Nwaeze’s advocacy did not begin with the present administration, noting that the professor had raised similar concerns during previous administrations in the state.

According to him, the professor’s major offence was speaking out against what he described as unfair treatment of members of the academic community at ABSU.

He argued that poor remuneration could discourage qualified professionals from taking up lecturing jobs and potentially create pressures that could affect the quality of education.

Aguoru therefore urged the state government and ABSU management to withdraw the disciplinary action and recall Nwaeze to his duties.

On the internal crisis within the Abia APC, particularly the 14-day ultimatum reportedly issued to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwota, Aguoru said the party had constituted a disciplinary committee to look into the matter.

He added that those involved in the dispute were cooperating with the committee, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved through the party’s internal mechanisms.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the APC’s Abia South Senatorial ticket and the party’s ticket for the Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency, Aguoru declined to comment.

He explained that the two matters were currently before courts of competent jurisdiction and therefore would not be discussed by the party at this stage.

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abia state chapter at its meeting held on Monday, 10th August 2026, extensively deliberated on recent public statements and actions attributed to two prominent members and leaders of the Party, namely, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta, concerning the 2027 Abia State Governorship Election.

After exhaustive deliberations, the State Working Committee, unanimously and unequivocally and strongly condemns, in its entirety, the said statements and actions as unstatesmanlike, irresponsible, embarrassing and inimical to the unity, cohesion and electoral prospects of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State.

The SWC is particularly concerned that at a time when the Party is mobilising its members and supporters across the 184 wards of Abia State towards a total electoral victory in 2027, statements capable of undermining the confidence of our members and supporters, while openly projecting support for a rival political party, are not only regrettable but constitute a serious breach of party loyalty.

The State Working Committee notes with grave concern that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in an interview on a national television station, was reported to have declared that “Governor Otti of the Labour Party will win the governorship election.”

Similarly, the SWC expresses deep disappointment over the conduct of Hon. Chris Nkwonta, who, in the presence of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, publicly stated that he would vote for Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party in the 2027 governorship election.

The SWC considers these actions particularly disturbing because they were made by individuals who are regarded as leaders and prominent members of the APC in Abia State. Such public declarations, in the considered view of the State Working Committee, amount to acts of internal sabotage and anti-party conduct intended to weaken the Party’s electoral machinery and demoralising its teeming members.

The APC is a political party governed by its Constitution, rules and regulations. No individual, regardless of status, position, influence or past contribution to the Party, is above the Constitution of the Party.

Accordingly, the State Working Committee, having carefully considered the implications of the said conduct, unanimously holds that the actions of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta constitute anti-party activities and a clear breach and violation of Article 21.2 (11) of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, 2022, which provides for disciplinary action against members whose conduct is inimical to the Party or amounts to acts of indiscipline and disloyalty.

RESOLUTIONS
After due consideration, the Abia State Working Committee hereby resolves as follows:

1. That we strongly condemn the statements and actions attributed to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta and considers them unacceptable, irresponsible, unstatesmanlike and inimical to the collective interest of the APC in Abia State.

2. We call on both Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta to tender an unreserved public apology to the All Progressives Congress, its leadership, members and supporters in Abia State within seven (14) days from the date of this communiqué.

3. The apology must clearly demonstrate their commitment to the Party, its Constitution, its leadership and the collective decision of the APC to present and support all its candidates in the 2027 general elections, especially the governorship candidate.

4. Failure by either of the two individuals to comply with this demand within the stipulated seven (14) days will leave the Party with no option than to constitute a disciplinary committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding their respective statements and actions and make appropriate disciplinary recommendations to the competent organs of the Party.

5. Where found liable, the Party shall take whatever disciplinary measures as prescribed by the APC Constitution and other applicable party regulations, without fear or favour and irrespective of the status of the individuals concerned.

6. The SWC further resolves that the Party would withdraw its political support and privileges from any of the individuals if their conduct is established to be inimical to the Party’s interest ahead of the 2027 general elections.

7. The Abia APC remains fully committed to the collective decision of its members and organs to strengthen the Party, support its candidates and work tirelessly towards winning the 2027 general elections and taking over the governance of Abia state.

OUR POSITION
The SWC wishes to make it abundantly clear that the APC is bigger than any individual, regardless of his or her political stature. Leadership comes with responsibility, and those entrusted with the responsibility of leading a political party must be seen to uphold its values, defend its interests and respect its decisions.

The Party will not permit personal interests, political calculations or individual ambitions to undermine the collective aspirations of our members and supporters across Abia State.

At this critical stage of our preparations for the 2027 elections, all members, especially those occupying leadership positions, are expected to demonstrate discipline, loyalty, restraint and commitment to the Party.

The Abia APC therefore urges all its members to remain calm, focused and united, assuring them that the Party will continue to deploy all legitimate political and organisational mechanisms necessary to protect its integrity, defend its interests and win the governorship and all the legislative seats both federal and state in 2027.

This communiqué was unanimously adopted and signed by the seventeen (17) members of the Abia State Working Committee present at the meeting.

Signed:

Hon. Chijioke Chukwu – chairman

Chief Chinedu Ihesiulo – Dep. Chairman

Chief Chidi Avajah – Secretary

Comrade Ben Godson – Asst. Secretary

Lady C. C. Erondu jp. – Woman leader

Lolo Josephine Chukwu – Dep. Woman leader

Prince Tony Egbulefu – Senatorial Chairman ( Central)

Sir Justice Onwumelu – Senatorial Chairman (South)

Chief Ebere Nwachukwu – Welfare Secretary

Darlington Ujoumunna – Financial Secretary

John Ajuzieogu – Treasurer

Chief Jerry Awah – Youth Leader

Hon. Mike Ukoha – Special Leader

Chief Emma Nwauhiara – Auditor

Barr. Emeka Okorafor – Organizing Secretary

Barr. Vigilius Nwankwo – Legal Adviser

Uche Aguoru – Publicity Secretary

Date: 10th August, 2026

The CityBoy Movement (CBM), Abia State Chapter, has clarified the structure of its Student Affairs Department, stating that there is no officially recognized position known as “Student Coordinator, CBM Youth Wing, Abia State” within the approved Student Affairs structure of the Movement.

The clarification follows a recent publication concerning the protest at the headquarters of the CityBoy Movement in Umuahia, in which Comrade Emeka Kenneth Uche was reportedly presented as the “Student Coordinator of the CBM Youth Wing, Abia State.”

The State Chapter wishes to state categorically that Comrade Emeka Kenneth Uche has never been appointed, designated or authorized by the appropriate leadership of the Movement to occupy or act in the capacity of Student Coordinator of the CBM Youth Wing, Abia State.

According to the State Director of Student Affairs, Ambassador Comrade Paschal Emediegwu, the designation does not form part of the recognized organogram or administrative structure of the Student Affairs Department in Abia State.

Ambassador Comrade Paschal Emediegwu, who remains the duly recognized State Director of Student Affairs, stated that he is responsible for coordinating the affairs of the students’ community within the structure assigned to the department.

He explained that creating or projecting offices that are not contained within the recognized structure could cause unnecessary confusion among students, coordinators, members of the Movement and the general public.

The State Director further stressed that the Student Affairs structure is committed to maintaining a clear, transparent and properly coordinated system of leadership, particularly in matters concerning the representation of students within the CityBoy Movement.

The CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter, therefore dissociates its Student Affairs structure from any statement, representation or activity undertaken by persons who have not been officially authorized to represent the department.

The State Chapter acknowledges that citizens have the right to express their grievances and participate in lawful and peaceful activities. However, such activities should not be presented as official positions or actions of the Student Affairs Department where no such authorization has been given.

The Movement also calls on members of the public, the media, students, CBM members and other stakeholders to exercise caution when reporting or sharing information concerning the leadership structure of the Student Affairs Department and to rely on official communication from the recognized leadership of the Movement.

The CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter, remains committed to peace, unity, discipline, transparency and responsible engagement with the students’ community across the State.

The State Chapter will continue to strengthen its relationship with students and ensure that the interests and participation of young people within the Movement are coordinated through a properly constituted and accountable structure.

*Signed:*

*Ambassador Comrade Paschal Emediegwu*

State Director, Student Affairs

CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter

*Issued by:*

*Communication & Media Directorate*

CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter