Lawmaker Erondu Rejects Alleged APC Candidacy Substitution, Insists Nomination Remains Valid
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr. Esq., has rejected reports of an alleged substitution of his candidature for the 2027 general election, describing the purported action as unlawful, unconstitutional and of no legal effect.
In a press statement he personally signed and sighted by our Reporter today, Erondu maintained that he remains the duly nominated APC candidate, having emerged victorious in the party’s direct primary election conducted on May 18, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District.
The lawmaker representing Obingwa-West State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, stated that the primary election was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies, adding that the process was transparent, credible and conducted in line with the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
According to him, he was officially declared winner and returned as the APC candidate by the Primary Election Committee constituted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The former Chairman , Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA), further disclosed that following petitions filed by some dissatisfied aspirants, the APC Appeal Committee thoroughly reviewed the conduct of the primary election and unanimously affirmed his victory, thereby upholding the decision of the Primary Election Committee.
He also noted that INEC issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South Senatorial Primary Election Report on June 30, 2026, confirming him as the duly elected APC candidate for the senatorial district.
Expressing surprise over reports that his name was allegedly being replaced with that of Prince Paul Ikonne, Erondu insisted that any attempt to substitute his candidature would violate the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the APC Constitution.
Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, he explained that a political party can only substitute a candidate where the candidate dies, voluntarily withdraws through a personally signed written notice addressed to the party, or where a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order affecting the nomination.
“I am alive. I have not withdrawn my candidature. I have never signed or submitted any notice withdrawing my candidature to the All Progressives Congress,” he declared.
Erondu therefore called on the APC National Working Committee and all relevant organs of the party to uphold the rule of law, respect the mandate freely given to him by party members across Abia South Senatorial District, honour the decisions of both the Primary Election Committee and the Appeal Committee, and preserve the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.
He also appealed to INEC to remain guided by the Electoral Act and its official records, including the Certified True Copy of the APC Abia South Senatorial Primary Election Report issued on June 30, 2026, which he said confirmed his emergence as the party’s candidate.
Addressing his supporters, members of the APC, the Igodo Igwe Foundation, the Erondu Jnr. Mandate Support Group and other stakeholders, Erondu urged them to remain calm, peaceful, law-abiding and united.
He advised them not to be distracted by rumours or misinformation but to remain committed to supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while all lawful and constitutional avenues are pursued to protect the mandate freely given to him by APC members.
Erondu expressed confidence that truth, justice, due process and the rule of law would ultimately prevail.
