The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) over suspected anti-party activities and other violations, Kalu is APC candidate in Saturday’s senatorial election in the district.
In a letter announcing Kalu’s suspension, the APC stated that the sanction took place immediately.
Due to claims that the former Abia State governor was undermining and sabotaging the party in the state, Kalu had been at odds with the state APC leadership and members.
According to the letter dated 21 February, Kalu was suspended for “acts of disobedience and gross anti-party activities”.
The letter was signed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Paul Nwabuisi; State Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah, and the State Chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu.
It noted that Kalu, who had been at loggerheads with many APC leaders in the state, “has remained unrepentant and without remorse despite several warnings”.
The party explained that Kalu’s suspension came after “thorough investigations and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee set up by the Igbere Ward A in Bende Local Government of Abia State”.
The Abia APC leadership further stated that Kalu’s suspension was in consonance with Article 21B(i-v) of the APC Constitution, which he violated.
The letter read in part: “You are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
The former governor has been accused of working against the APC governorship candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike.
He has also been accused of promoting the interests of the Action Peoples Party, where his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, is the governorship candidate.
Last Tuesday, Kalu publicly admitted and justified supporting and promoting the candidacy of his younger brother, saying he is fit to lead the state.
Kalu also claimed that the APC governorship candidate never informed him formally that he was in the race.
He also accused Emenike of abusing him and bearing grudges against him for decades, hence his reluctance to work with him.
The state APC, which described Kalu as a “drowning political desperado”, accused him of working hard to destroy the party for his selfish interests.
