Following their separate claims to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, former Governor Orji Kalu and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu appear set for a struggle for supremacy.
Benjamin represents the Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, while Mr. Kalu, who represents Abia North District in the Nigerian Senate, was the governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007.
Both politicians, who belong to the APC, claim that President Bola Tinubu gave them instructions to run the party in the state.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu thanked President Tinubu in a Facebook post on Monday for “the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate” APC operations in Abia.
A picture of the senator shaking hands with President Tinubu in what seemed to be the Presidential Villa in Abuja was also attached to the tweet.
Similarly, Deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, posted identical statements on his Facebook page around the same time on Monday.
The deputy speaker refuted Senator Kalu’s assertions in his own post.
Like Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the deputy speaker also attached to his post a photograph of himself in a handshake with President Tinubu in the Presidential Villa.
BACKSTORY…
The conflict between Sen Orji Kalu and Benjamin Kalu has been linked to the forthcoming 2027 governorship election in Abia state.
