Deputy Speaker Kalu Says Tinubu Directive Empowers Him to Lead APC in Abia Ahead of 2027 Elections

Claim 1: Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu stated in a Facebook post on Monday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated a directive regarding APC leadership in states without APC governors during an engagement in Abuja on Friday.

Evidence: Kalu's Monday Facebook post disclosed President Tinubu reiterated this directive on Friday in Abuja. The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) affirmed Kalu as its leader. Kalu also confirmed Abia APC's commitment to delivering votes for President Tinubu.

Verdict: Mostly True.

Analysis: Kalu's Facebook post detailed President Tinubu's reiterated directive from a Friday Abuja engagement. The core assertion, assigning leadership to the highest-ranking political office holder in non-APC governed states, aligns with available reports.

Claim 2: Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reaffirming the directive that the highest-ranking political office holder should oversee APC affairs in states without APC governors.

Evidence: Kalu directly commended President Tinubu for reaffirming the directive. This directive assigns All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in states lacking APC governors to their highest-ranking political office holder. Abia State APC stakeholders passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu and affirmed Kalu's leadership. Kalu has also praised Tinubu's leadership.

Verdict: True.

Analysis: Kalu publicly acknowledged and praised President Tinubu for this directive. His statements and actions by Abia APC stakeholders confirm his endorsement and alignment with the President's policy.

Claim 3: Following this directive, Benjamin Okezie Kalu is positioned to lead the APC's structure and mobilisation efforts in Abia State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Evidence: The directive explicitly positions Kalu to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure and mobilisation in Abia State for the 2027 general elections. The Abia State APC unanimously affirmed Kalu as its leader. Kalu has reiterated the Abia APC's readiness to deliver for President Tinubu in 2027.

Verdict: True.

Analysis: The directive designates Kalu as the primary figure for the APC in Abia State, which lacks an APC governor. This formalizes his role in organizing the party's base for future electoral contests. The Abia APC's unanimous affirmation further solidifies this position.

Overall Analysis: Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu's statements align with verifiable facts regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive on APC leadership in states without APC governors. This directive designates the highest-ranking political office holder as the party leader. Kalu is thus positioned to steer the All Progressives Congress's structure and mobilization efforts within Abia State, particularly for the 2027 general elections. The Abia APC's affirmation of Kalu's leadership reinforces his strategic role. The impact of this consolidated leadership on the APC's electoral performance in Abia State remains a key development to watch.