Abia Governor’s National Assembly Liaison Officer Iheanyi Chinasa Defects to APC

Governor Alex Otti's National Assembly Liaison Officer, Iheanyi Chinasa, defects to the APC, joining Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu in a major political shift.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 10:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Punch

A Strategic Shift in Abia Politics

In a development that signals significant political realignments in the South-East, Iheanyi Chinasa, a key aide to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has resigned his position and joined the All Progressives Congress. Chinasa, popularly known as "Dogo," served as the National Assembly Liaison Officer, a role that positioned him as the primary strategic link between the Abia State government and federal lawmakers in Abuja. His defection was made public following an APC stakeholders' meeting held on Sunday in Owerri, Imo State, which was hosted by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Reconciliation with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu

The defection is particularly noteworthy due to Chinasa’s historical political rivalry with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. During the 2023 general elections, Chinasa contested against Kalu for the Bende Federal Constituency seat and had remained a vocal critic of the Deputy Speaker's legislative record. However, during the Owerri meeting, Chinasa stood alongside Kalu, marking a formal end to their political friction. Kalu welcomed the move, noting that Chinasa’s entry into the party strengthens the APC’s influence within the Ikwu Isii section of their shared constituency.

Strengthening the APC’s South-East Structure

The APC leadership has characterized Chinasa’s defection as part of a broader effort to consolidate the party’s power base in the South-East. Deputy Speaker Kalu described the transition as a sign of more high-profile arrivals expected in the coming months as the party prepares for the 2027 election cycle. He urged current party members and aspirants to remain resilient, suggesting that the "harder the work," the more attractive the APC becomes to influential figures currently serving in opposition-led administrations. Chinasa was warmly received by the party’s zonal leadership, including several key figures from across the region.