The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) has accused the Labour Party (LP) agents of disrupting an event to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.

The party alleged that the incident targeted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Benjamin Kalu, during a community function in Bende.

The state APC Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, made the allegations in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Aguoru said Mr Kalu attended the function, hosted by the people in the Bende Local Government Area, as Mr Tinubu’s representative.

He alleged that sponsored individuals disrupted Mr Kalu’s address in a calculated attempt to undermine the deputy speaker’s political standing.

He described the incident as evidence of political desperation, accusing those involved of resorting to intimidation and disruptive tactics.

Mr Aguoru further alleged that the party had received intelligence about an earlier plot involving agents of the Abia State Government.

According to him, the alleged plan was to embarrass both Messrs Tinubu and Kalu during the community engagement.

He said the party initially dismissed the intelligence, believing Mr Tinubu’s popularity among Abia residents would frustrate any such attempt.

Mr Aguoru maintained that Nr Kalu had consistently promoted Mr Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda across Abia State without encountering similar hostility.

He attributed the President’s growing acceptance in the state to federal projects, political appointments and employment opportunities.

He insisted that the alleged disruption would not undermine the relationship between  Messrs Tinubu and Kalu.

“No amount of blackmail, intimidation or orchestrated hostility can weaken the relationship between Tinubu and Kalu,” Mr Aguoru said.

He attributed the APC’s growing acceptance in Abia State and the wider South-East to Mr Kalu’s leadership and grassroots political mobilisation.

Mr Aguoru warned those allegedly sponsoring political disruptions to desist and embrace democratic engagement, tolerance and peaceful political competition.

Regarding the 2027 general election, the APC spokesman expressed confidence that Mr Tinubu would secure 85 per cent of the votes cast in Abia State.

He also predicted that Mr Kalu would defeat the Labour Party candidate in Bende by a wide margin.

Mr Aguoru further projected that the APC would win all three senatorial districts, eight House of Representatives seats and 24 state assembly constituencies.

He also predicted that Dr Eric Opah would be inaugurated as Abia State governor on May 29, 2027.

Political competition is intensifying in Bende federal constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mr Kalu of the APC and Chima Anyaso of the LP are among the prominent contenders for the constituency’s House of Representatives seat. 

(NAN)