The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Abia has urged aspirants contesting various positions to prioritise unity and accept the outcome of the party primaries in good faith.
Chief Chijioke Chukwu, APC chairman in the state made the appeal on Thursday during the Abia APC Pre-Primary Election Engagement held at the party’s new state secretariat in Umuahia.
Chukwu, urged aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions that could divide the party after the primaries.
“Those who may not secure the party ticket should accept the outcome in good faith and avoid acts capable of disintegrating the party after the primaries,” Chukwu said.
He disclosed that the party had concluded the screening of aspirants for the 2027 elections and fully prepared for the primaries.
Highlighting the party’s progress, the chairman cited the acquisition of a new state secretariat as evidence of APC’s growing strength in Abia.
“The party has never been this vibrant. All politicians that make Abia tick are now in APC. We have no reason not to produce the governor,” he said.
Chukwu also dismissed the influence of social media on election outcomes, insisting that victory would be decided at the polling units.
The State Organising Secretary, Mr Emeka Okoroafor, who gave details of the screening exercise, said that 64 aspirants purchased forms for the State House of Assembly, with one 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.
He stressed that only party members who are up to date with their financial obligations would be eligible to vote, and assured aspirants of a free, fair, and transparent process.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC leader in Abia, Dr Benjamin Kalu, dismissed reports of a pre-arranged list of candidates as fake and misleading.
“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,” Kalu said.
He warned against attempts to destabilise the party after the primaries and urged members to focus on tackling underdevelopment instead of internal conflicts.
“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.
APC governorship aspirants Mascot Kalu and Eric Opah also spoke, outlining plans for accelerated development, job creation, and economic growth if elected.
Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, said he attended the meeting in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen unity within the party ahead of 2027.
He urged stakeholders to set aside grievances and cautioned against divisive rumours.
“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, Mrs Nkiru Onyejeocha, and APC National Welfare Secretary, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, commended the party leadership for strengthening APC in Abia.
They called for a peaceful and seamless primary process across the state.
