Abia APC Reaffirms Suspension of Former Minister Uche Ogah Over Public Endorsement of Governor Otti’s 2027 Re-election Bid

Abia APC reaffirms the suspension of ex-Minister Uche Ogah after he endorsed Labour Party's Alex Otti for 2027. Read about the anti-party allegations here.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:34 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAY

Political Friction Escalates as Major Chieftain Backs Rival Governor

The internal cohesion of the Abia State All Progressives Congress (APC) has been severely tested following a bold declaration by one of its most prominent members. Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, the party’s 2019 gubernatorial candidate and a former federal minister, has publicly pledged his "non-negotiable" support for the re-election of Governor Alex Otti in 2027. This move has created a significant rift within the state chapter, as Ogah—a high-ranking APC member—is openly campaigning for the incumbent governor, who belongs to the rival Labour Party (LP).

Ogah Cites Performance and Patriotism Over Partisan Loyalty

Speaking at a civic reception in Isuikwuato, Dr. Ogah argued that his support for Governor Otti is rooted in objective governance rather than party politics. He commended the governor for a "people-centered" approach that has allegedly reduced the need for private charity. Ogah claimed that regular payment of salaries and pensions under the Otti administration has saved him nearly N50 million monthly in personal welfare interventions. Despite his support for the LP governor, Ogah insisted he remains an APC member, though his priorities currently lie with the progress of Abia State and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

APC Leadership Brands Former Minister a "Mole" and Saboteur

The state chapter of the APC, led by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, reacted swiftly and sharply to Ogah’s comments. Publicity Secretary Chief Uche Aguoru described the former minister's remarks as "reckless and irresponsible," stating that the party cannot harbor individuals who actively work against its goal of winning the 2027 governorship. The party leadership maintains that supporting a rival candidate is an anomaly that undermines the unity of the APC in Abia. Consequently, Ogah has been removed from all official party communication platforms and WhatsApp groups as the state chapter moves to protect its electoral interests.