The camp of Chief John Okiyi Kalu has alleged that the controversy surrounding the May 25, 2026 Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary was driven not by external opponents, but by what it described as “deceit and betrayal from trusted allies within the party structure.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday by the JOK Media Team, the group dismissed social media narratives blaming its principal for the outcome of the primary, insisting instead that a coordinated internal scheme misrepresented facts and undermined earlier assurances allegedly given within the party leadership.
The group said Chief Okiyi Kalu had maintained “studied silence” since the announcement of the disputed result by the State Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, in order to allow the party leadership space to review events and take corrective action.
It also accused unnamed commentators of peddling what it called “tissues of lies,” while choosing not to directly engage individuals it described in highly derogatory terms, but instead laying out what it termed “indisputable facts” of the process.
According to the statement, on Friday, May 23, 2026, Chief Okiyi Kalu was allegedly informed by the State Chairman, Amah Abraham, that the party leadership, acting through the former Governor of Abia State, HE Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, had directed that he be “delivered” as a consensus governorship candidate.
It further alleged that the assurance included instructions for preparations to host members of an election committee reportedly sent from Abuja, with indications that a consensus arrangement had been preferred over a direct primary.
Following this, the group said Okiyi Kalu scaled down planned engagements with ward leaders across the state, acting on the belief that internal arrangements had been concluded in his favour.
However, the statement claimed that by Saturday, May 24, 2026, new information emerged suggesting that directives were being issued within the party structure backing another aspirant, Kelechi Anosike, whom it described as “largely unknown to party members,” allegedly in the presence of the State Chairman.
The camp said it immediately contacted the party leadership for clarification, insisting that the development raised concerns of manipulation and internal sabotage allegedly facilitated through shared strategic information.
It also referenced a separate political engagement involving Chief Okiyi Kalu’s reconciliation visit to Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, which it said was aimed strictly at resolving long-standing political disagreements and strengthening party unity ahead of the primary.
According to the statement, tensions escalated further on Sunday, May 25, 2026, after intelligence reportedly indicated that members of the election committee had been engaged overnight alongside party actors and the rival aspirant.
The group alleged that during this period, inducements were discussed to secure a predetermined outcome, claims it said were later reflected in the conduct of the process.
It further stated that when Chief Okiyi Kalu sought clarification from the State Chairman, he was told: “Forget what you are hearing; within 24 hours you will know the kind of person I am.”
The camp said that statement was followed by events it described as confirmation of a “pre-arranged outcome.”
Later that same day, it alleged that the State Chairman summoned all 17 Local Government Chairmen and directed them to support the emergence of Kelechi Anosike, reportedly with monetary inducements of N1 million per chairman and N2 million for members of the State Working Committee.
The group maintained that at no point was it formally invited to any briefing, consultation, or collation exercise, nor was it engaged on the modalities of any direct primary election.
“AT NO TIME WERE WE ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION, SUBMIT LIST OF AGENTS OR INVITED TO WITNESS COLLATION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANY RESULT,” the statement declared.
It further alleged that after the announcement of results by the State Chairman, who it said “forcefully assumed the role of returning officer,” Chief Okiyi Kalu left Umuahia for Abuja via Port Harcourt while documenting his concerns to the party leadership.
He was said to have conveyed that if the actions were indeed authorised by the party leadership, he would not challenge it, but if not, urgent steps should be taken to prevent reputational damage to the party.
The group also alleged that subsequent meetings were held where financial inducements were distributed to certain party stakeholders following the announcement of the outcome.
Despite its allegations, the camp said it was not seeking legal redress, insisting that it would not “impose itself on a process allegedly compromised by inducements and manipulation.”
It added that it had already informed the party leadership that it was not interested in any refund of expenses, stating that its participation in the race was driven by political conviction rather than material consideration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, if any aspect of our narrative is challenged, we are prepared to produce audio, video, and text evidence,” the statement added.
Concluding, the group said it viewed the outcome as a lesson in political loyalty and internal party dynamics, while reiterating that its final position would depend on whether the alleged directives truly originated from the party leadership or were falsely attributed.
“Our position remains that if our leader, HE Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, actually directed the process, we will not fight it. If not, then it is incumbent on him to do the needful,” the statement said.
