Abia APC Pardons OUK, Nkwonta, Others Over Alleged Anti-Party Remarks

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has granted unconditional pardon to members who were disciplined over grievances arising from the party’s primaries, congresses and other internal activities, including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta.

The decision was reached on Sunday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s new secretariat on Finbarrs Road, Umuahia.

Addressing party leaders and stakeholders, the Abia APC Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, said the leadership was committed to rebuilding unity and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chukwu noted that the party’s recent primaries produced several qualified aspirants, making the selection process challenging and, in some cases, generating disagreements and dissatisfaction among members.

He acknowledged that some decisions of the State Working Committee had attracted criticism and misunderstandings, adding that the party leadership was prepared to take responsibility for its shortcomings in the interest of reconciliation.

“If there is anybody that should be blamed, I take responsibility first before members of the State Working Committee,” Chukwu said.

He stressed that the APC could only achieve its political objectives through unity, urging aggrieved members to put past disagreements behind them and work collectively for the party’s success.

The chairman, however, warned that members with future grievances must explore appropriate party channels rather than resorting to public confrontations or the media.

The meeting also reviewed the disciplinary actions involving Senator Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, and Hon. Nkwonta, representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, over alleged anti-party comments.

According to Chukwu, both leaders had privately engaged the party leadership and explained that their remarks were not made with malicious intent.

Following deliberations, a motion for unconditional pardon was moved by the APC candidate for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike, and seconded by Hon. Emmanuel Ndubisi, representing Bende South in the Abia State House of Assembly.

The stakeholders subsequently adopted the motion by voice vote, granting pardon to members whose actions were linked to anger, provocation or misunderstandings arising from previous party activities.

Chukwu clarified that the resolution would not affect cases still undergoing legitimate review by relevant party authorities, warning that future violations of party rules would attract appropriate sanctions.

The meeting also featured the celebration of the birthday of the Abia APC Chairman, which coincided with the stakeholders’ gathering.

Recall, that the Party had given 14 days ultimatum to the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, and the member representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency, Hon Chris Nkwonta, to apologize for what the party described as anti-party.