A leading socio-political group in Abia State, Reality Organisation, has rejected the Abia All Progressives Congress, APC, State Working Committee’s threat to sanction Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, describing it as “politically motivated” and capable of deepening divisions ahead of 2027.

In a statement signed by its representative, Dimgba Okereke, on Tuesday, the group accused the Chijioke Chukwu-led SWC of trying to intimidate a respected party leader rather than building the party for the next elections.

The reaction followed a communiqué issued by the Abia APC SWC on Monday condemning comments attributed to Senator Kalu and Hon. Chris Nkwonta, and demanding public apologies over alleged anti-party conduct.

Reality Organisation said Kalu did not endorse Governor Alex Otti or the Labour Party during a recent television interview as alleged by the party leadership.

According to the group, Kalu was asked two separate questions: whether President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, and whether Governor Otti would win the Abia governorship. He answered “yes” to both.

When asked if the APC had an alliance with Otti, the Senator said “no.”

“Where, therefore, is the endorsement? Is a prediction now synonymous with an endorsement? Has political analysis suddenly become anti-party activity?” the group queried.

“A prediction is an assessment of what one believes may happen; an endorsement is an expression of support for a candidate. Conflating the two is either intellectual laziness or a deliberate attempt to mislead,” it added.

The organisation said instead of threatening disciplinary action, the Abia APC leadership should use Kalu’s remarks as an opportunity for self-examination.

“If the leadership of the APC in Abia State were genuinely serious about winning the 2027 governorship election, Senator Kalu’s answers should have provided an opportunity for sober self-reflection,” it said.

“Rather than reaching for threats, they should be asking what shortcomings within the party could produce such a prediction and what must be done to change the equation before 2027.”

The group also accused the SWC of double standards, citing an article published before the last National Assembly primaries which predicted hurdles for Kalu even if he secured the APC ticket.

“Where were Chijioke Chukwu and his colleagues then? Where was the communiqué? Where was the righteous indignation?” it asked, warning that “selective outrage” could worsen divisions in the party.

Reality Organisation stressed that the APC in Abia does not belong to any individual or faction.

“Benjamin Kalu does not own it. Chijioke Chukwu does not own it. Neither does any collection of political cronies have the authority to convert a national political party into a private estate where disagreement is punished,” it said.

The group warned that continued “intimidation, segregation and impunity” could force genuine members to constitute a parallel SWC.

“If this culture continues, genuine and patriotic members of the Abia APC will have no alternative but to unveil a dedicated State Working Committee to run the affairs of the party,” it stated.

The organisation said the real test of strength should be at the polls, not through disciplinary threats.

“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s prediction should provoke introspection, not persecution. If the Abia APC disagrees with his assessment, the answer is simple: organise the party, reconcile aggrieved members, end segregation, present a credible candidate and prove the prediction wrong at the ballot box,” it said.

It urged APC stakeholders in Abia to prioritise reconciliation and inclusiveness, warning that internal persecution of prominent members could weaken the party’s chances in 2027.

“Enough is enough,” the group concluded.

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