ABIA: Benjamin Kalu Movement Expresses Shock, Disappointment Over APC Guber Ticket Zooning

The Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM), a political pressure group has expressed shock over the decision of the All Progressives Congress to zone the gubernatorial candidate ticket to Abia Central.

CANDID REPORTERS had earlier reported that the APC had on Thursday zoned the party’s ticket to Abia Central which automatically screens out the Deputy Speaker, Rt.Hon. Benjamin Kalu from the Abia gubernatorial race.

In a press release signed by Emma Trumps Eke, Director-General Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM) has it that the BKM expressed shock and deep disappointment.

Emma Trumps Eke described the move as “hasty, ill-timed, and lacking broad consultation with key stakeholders across the three senatorial districts”.

Read the full statement below 👇

Zoning of Governorship Position to Abia Central: BKM Shocked, Disappointed

…Wants Decision Reversed

The Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM) has expressed shock and deep disappointment over the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State to zone its governorship ticket to Abia Central Senatorial District.

Reacting to the announcement made by the party, the Director-General of the Movement, Hon. Emma Trumps Eke on Thursday described the move as hasty, ill-timed, and lacking broad consultation with key stakeholders across the three senatorial districts.

“The Movement received the news with shock and disbelief. While we respect the right of the party to take decisions, zoning of such a critical office requires wide consultation, inclusiveness, and strategic reasoning. This unilateral approach undermines internal democracy and risks alienating loyal party members from other zones,” the statement read.

The Movement noted that Abia State APC is still in a rebuilding phase and needs unity, not decisions that could cause division.

It stressed that Abia North and Abia South Senatorial Districts both have competent aspirants who have made significant investments in building the party and deserve a fair opportunity to contest.

It further alleges that the decision of the party is deliberately taken to exclude aspirants from Abia North from the race where the ticket should have been originally zoned to.

“We believe in equity and zoning. However, equity must not be used as a tool to shut out capable hands or to serve narrow interests. At a time we should be consolidating, this decision is capable of causing disaffection among our members. We view the statement as a deliberate act to systematically edge out aspirants from Abia North especially the Deputy Speaker from the race. We want to submit that Abia North is the where the ticket should be originally zoned to after the administration of Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu from Abia South”, the statement read.

The BKM called on the State Working Committee (SWC) and the national leadership of the APC to revisit the decision in the interest of justice, party cohesion, and the larger goal of winning Abia State in the forthcoming election.

“While we urge calm among our supporters, we appeal to the party hierarchy to reconsider its decision and allow status quo to remain. We remain committed to the growth of APC in Abia and will continue to engage all stakeholders to ensure that the party goes into the election as one united family,” the statement stated.

Signed:
Hon. Emma Trumps Eke
Director-General
Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM)