The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia has accused Labour Party (LP) agents of disrupting its event to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.
The party alleged that the disruption targeted Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Benjamin Kalu, during a community event in Bende.
The APC Publicity Secretary in Abia, Mr Uche Aguoru, made the allegations in a statement issued on Sunday.
Aguoru stated that Kalu attended the event, hosted by the people of Item in Bende Local Government Area, as Tinubu’s representative.
He alleged that sponsored individuals disrupted Kalu’s address to undermine the Deputy Speaker’s political standing.
He described the incident as evidence of political desperation and accused those involved of using intimidation and disruptive tactics.
Aguoru further alleged that the party had received intelligence about a previous plot involving agents of the Abia Government.
According to him, the alleged plan aimed to embarrass both Tinubu and Kalu during the community engagement.
He said the party initially dismissed the intelligence, believing Tinubu’s popularity among Abia residents would frustrate any such attempt.
Aguoru maintained that Kalu had consistently promoted Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in Abia without facing similar hostility.
He attributed the President’s growing acceptance in the state to federal projects, political appointments, and employment opportunities.
He insisted that the alleged disruption would not affect the relationship between Tinubu and Kalu.
“No amount of blackmail, intimidation or orchestrated hostility can weaken the relationship between Tinubu and Kalu,” Aguoru said.
He credited the APC’s growing acceptance in Abia and the South-East to Kalu’s leadership and grassroots mobilisation.
Aguoru urged those allegedly sponsoring disruptions to desist and embrace democratic engagement, tolerance, and peaceful competition.
On the 2027 general election, the APC spokesman said Tinubu would secure 85 per cent of the votes in Abia.
He also predicted that Kalu would defeat the Labour Party candidate in Bende by a significant margin.
Aguoru further projected that the APC would win all three senatorial districts, eight House of Representatives seats,s and 24 state assembly constituencies.
He also predicted that Dr Eric Opah would be inaugurated as Abia governor on May 29, 2027.
Kalu of the APC and Chima Anyaso of the LP are among the prominent contenders for the constituency’s House of Representatives seat.
