Abia PDP Primary Crisis Escalates As Amah Abraham Camp Replies John Okiyi Kalu

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State intensified on Thursday as the media team of the party’s state chairman, Amah Abraham, issued a detailed rejoinder to allegations earlier made by the camp of Chief John Okiyi Kalu over the controversial governorship primary election held on May 25, 2026.

Earlier, the media team of Chief Okiyi accused party leaders of deceit and betrayal, alleging that assurances were given that he would emerge as the consensus governorship candidate before the process allegedly shifted in favour of another aspirant, Kelechi Anosike.

However, in a strongly worded response titled “Abia PDP Gubernatorial Primary: Democracy Cannot Be Replaced By Private Expectations,” the Amah Abraham Media Team dismissed the allegations and argued that the statement by the Okiyi camp unintentionally exposed anti democratic expectations.

According to the rejoinder, the central grievance raised by the former commissioner’s camp appeared to be that Chief Okiyi allegedly expected to be “delivered” as the party’s candidate through arrangements involving party leaders.

The statement argued that such expectations contradicted democratic principles within the PDP.

“At the heart of the entire complaint is the claim that Chief John Okiyi Kalu allegedly received assurances that he would be ‘delivered’ as the party’s candidate through the authority of the party leader,” the statement read.

It added that democracy could not be defended by condemning one alleged manipulation while simultaneously lamenting the failure of another.

The Amah Abraham camp also questioned repeated references in the earlier statement to “traditional gifts,” financial inducements, and monetary engagements with election officials and committee members.

According to the rejoinder, no democratic process should rely on gifts, payments, or private arrangements to influence outcomes.

The statement further challenged claims that the governorship ambition of Chief Okiyi was allegedly concealed from major organs of the party, including members of the State Working Committee.

It argued that political contests should be pursued through open engagement with party structures rather than assumptions based on personal relationships or private discussions.

The rebuttal also dismissed allegations of conspiracy, bribery, and manipulation as unsubstantiated claims built on hearsay and unverifiable intelligence.

“Political ambition must never be elevated above democratic process, and disappointment over an electoral outcome should not be mistaken for proof that democracy has failed,” the statement added.

The latest exchange has further exposed deepening divisions within the Abia PDP ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Neither former governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu nor Kelechi Anosike had publicly commented on the growing controversy as of the time of filing this report.