The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused agents linked to the Labour Party (LP) of orchestrating a deliberate disruption during a public gathering in Bende, claiming the move was aimed at humiliating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The incident occurred during a community engagement in the Bende Local Government Area, where the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Benjamin Kalu, was present to represent the President.

Addressing journalists in a press statement released on Sunday, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, alleged that political operatives disrupted Dr. Kalu’s speech in a calculated attempt to undermine his political standing and embarrass the presidency.

According to Mr. Aguoru, the party had previously gathered intelligence suggesting that agents operating on behalf of the Abia State Government planned to target both the President and the Deputy Speaker during the event. He noted that the APC initially brushed off the reports, trusting that President Tinubu’s local goodwill would deter any hostility.

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“No amount of blackmail, intimidation, or orchestrated hostility can weaken the relationship between Tinubu and Kalu,” Aguoru stated, characterizing the incident as a sign of growing political panic among opposition actors.

He added that federal projects, key appointments, and job creation initiatives under the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” have continued to strengthen the ruling party’s footprint across Abia State and the broader South-East region. The party spokesman further urged political opponents to reject intimidation tactics and embrace peaceful, democratic competition.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the APC expressed strong confidence in its local momentum. Aguoru projected that President Tinubu would secure 85 per cent of the Abia vote, while predicting a decisive victory for Dr. Kalu over his primary challenger, Chima Anyaso of the Labour Party, in the Bende Federal Constituency race.

The Abia APC also claimed it is positioned to sweep all three senatorial districts, eight House of Representatives seats, and 24 state assembly positions in 2027, expressing optimism that its candidate, Dr. Eric Opah, will assume office as governor on May 29, 2027.

As campaign rivalries intensify across Bende, the clash highlights the escalating political stakes between the ruling APC and the Labour Party ahead of the next electoral cycle.