The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains firmly committed to harmonisation as the approved model for conducting its ward and local government congresses across the country.
Speaking at the Renewed Hope Partners Office in Umuahia, Kalu described the harmonisation strategy as a carefully thought-out decision by the party’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at preserving unity, preventing factional crises, and strengthening internal democracy within the APC.
According to him, harmonisation is not a compromise of democratic principles but a strategic mechanism to promote inclusiveness, balance interests, and ensure that every stakeholder has a sense of belonging in the party structure from the grassroots to the state level.
“The APC is a collective platform owned by all members. No individual is bigger than the party,” Kalu stated firmly.
As a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and caucus, the Deputy Speaker disclosed that it was clearly resolved that there would be no room for parallel congresses or multiple processes capable of triggering avoidable conflicts.
He revealed that whenever disagreements surfaced in some states, President Tinubu insisted that decisions reached by the NEC and caucus must be upheld without exception. This, he said, led to prompt interventions by the National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to restore order and party discipline.
Kalu noted that the earlier misunderstandings in Abia State required his direct involvement, prompting his return to oversee the smooth implementation of the harmonised structure and reinforce grassroots ownership of the party.
The APC ward congresses are scheduled to hold on Wednesday, February 25, while the local government congresses will follow on February 26.
To ensure credibility and transparency, Kalu announced the deployment of national congress, screening, and appeal committees, adding that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will monitor the exercise.
Chairman of the APC Ward and Local Government Congress Committee, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Goar, assured party members that the harmonisation directive has been strictly adhered to and pledged that the congresses would reflect the collective will of stakeholders.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Abia seven-man committee liaising with the national body, Sir Mac Wabara, expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the confidence placed in them, promising that the committee would deliver a peaceful, credible and acceptable process.
Party officials have since commenced activities across Abia State, urging members to cooperate and maintain discipline in the interest of unity and future electoral victories.
