The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced new dates for its grassroots organizational congresses, following a week-long suspension aimed at resolving internal disagreements. The rescheduled Ward Congress will now take place on Wednesday, 25th February 2026, followed by the Local Government Congress on Thursday, 26th February 2026. These were confirmed in a statement issued by the APC state caucus, which also affirmed that the State Congress remains set for Tuesday, 3rd March 2026.
The statement explained that the initial postponement was necessary to address internal friction within the state chapter, adding that a resolution has since been achieved, restoring unity. The sequential holding of the Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses is a standard process for electing local and state-level party officials across Nigeria. For the APC in Abia, a state currently governed by the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), these exercises are strategically significant for reorganizing its grassroots structure ahead of future electoral cycles.
In separate political developments, speculation concerning the political future of Abia State Governor Alex Otti has emerged. Reports suggested that Governor Otti, who was elected in 2023 under the APGA banner and is constitutionally eligible to seek a second term in 2027, might defect to the APC. However, these speculations have been publicly rejected. Ferdinand Ekeoma and Dodoh Okafor, media aides to the governor, have dismissed the reports as unfounded, reiterating the governor’s continued commitment to APGA.
The APC’s decision to proceed with its congresses underscores a focused effort to solidify its internal cohesion in Abia State. The successful completion of these exercises will establish the party’s local leadership hierarchy, which is critical for mobilizing support in a region where the APC has traditionally faced stiff competition. Meanwhile, the swift denial from Governor Otti’s office appears to have quelled, for now, discussions about his potential party realignment, directing attention back to the APC’s internal renewal process and the state’s unfolding political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
