Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State have appealed to aspirants contesting various positions ahead of the party primaries to embrace unity and support whoever emerges victorious, warning against actions capable of causing division within the party.
The appeal was made during the Abia APC Pre-Primary Election Engagement held at the party’s new state secretariat in Umuahia.
Speaking at the meeting, the Abia State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, urged aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid acts capable of disintegrating the party after the primaries.
According to him, only one candidate would eventually emerge for each position, stressing that those who may not secure the party ticket should accept the outcome in good faith.
Chukwu disclosed that the party had successfully concluded the screening of aspirants for the 2027 elections and was fully prepared for the primaries.
He further highlighted achievements recorded by the party leadership, including the acquisition of a new state secretariat, which he described as a reflection of the growing strength of the APC in Abia State.
The party chairman disclosed that the party has never been this vibrant, pointing that all politicians that make Abia thick are now in APC. “We have no reason not to produce the Governor”, he said.
Chukwu also dismissed the influence of social media in determining electoral outcomes, insisting that victory would be decided at the polling units.
Giving details of the screening exercise, the State Organising Secretary of the party, Barr. Emeka Okoroafor, disclosed that 64 aspirants purchased forms for the State House of Assembly, while one aspirant was screened out.
He added that three governorship aspirants, nine senatorial aspirants and 24 House of Representatives aspirants were also screened..
Okoroafor said the party had adopted direct primaries, with elections to be conducted simultaneously across wards in the state.
According to him, only party members who are up to date with their financial obligations would be eligible to vote during the exercise.
He assured aspirants of a free, fair and transparent process, promising a level playing field for all contestants.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC leader in the state, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, dismissed reports alleging the existence of a pre-arranged list of candidates for the primaries, describing the claims as fake and misleading.
Kalu said the party had spent the last three years building a formidable political structure capable of winning elections in the state.
“We are not going to impose candidates. There is no automatic ticket anywhere for anybody. The party has only two recognised pathways to emergence, consensus or direct primaries”, he said.
He warned against attempts to destabilise the party after the primaries, stressing the need for members to embrace unity irrespective of the outcome.
“Our prayer is that the efforts, sacrifices and energy we have invested in building this party will not be destroyed by the primaries. We must go into this exercise with the spirit of family, love and unity”, he added.
Kalu further urged members to focus on fighting underdevelopment rather than engaging in internal conflicts, expressing confidence that the APC would record significant victories in Abia State in the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, APC governorship aspirants, Mascot Uzor Kalu and Eric Opah, separately outlined their visions for Abia State, promising accelerated development, job creation and economic growth if elected.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, said he attended the stakeholders’ meeting in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen unity within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Governor urged party stakeholders to put aside grievances and work together to ensure victory for the APC and its candidates.
He also cautioned against divisive rumours and false narratives allegedly being spread by individuals seeking to create disunity among party leaders.
“As we approach the party primaries, there is need for transparent and inclusive measures in the conduct of the exercise to avoid post-primary crises arising from competing interests”, he said.
Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha, expressed satisfaction with the current state of the party and commended its leadership for strengthening the APC in Abia.
Similarly, the National Welfare Secretary of the APC, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, called for a peaceful and seamless primary process across the state.
