Two grassroots political groups and the Abia Youth Advocacy Network have rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Abia.
In a joint statement issued to newsmen in Umuahia on Sunday, the Ozurumba Movement and Renewed Hope Tinubu Abia described Chief Eric Opah’s candidacy as an imposition that undermines fairness, transparency, and youth inclusion.
They stated that they operate as united grassroots forces with presence in all 17 local government areas and wards across the state.
The groups claimed a combined membership of 800 to 1,000 committed individuals per ward, representing over 376,000 registered voters with the Independent National Electoral Commission cards.
“It is no longer acceptable for anyone to impose a governorship candidate on us within the APC. Any attempt to take our collective will for granted is a grave mistake,” the statement read.
The groups said they do not recognise Opah as a member of the APC in Abia and rejected what they called a repeat of the mistakes of 2023.
They warned that if the APC national leadership fails to intervene, they will limit their support in 2027 to President Bola Tinubu only.
They also raised concerns over the low votes recorded for Tinubu in the state during the Saturday presidential primary.
The attributed it to the disenfranchisement of members who registered electronically but are yet to receive their voter cards.
“Our message is clear: respect the will of the people, recognise our strength, and ensure that Abia APC stands on the foundation of fairness, transparency, and genuine representation,” the groups said.
In a separate statement, the Abia Youth Advocacy Network also rejected the primary result, describing it as “a betrayal of the aspirations of Abia’s younger generation.”
The network said the emergence of a candidate largely unknown to the people sends a discouraging message that competence and credibility do not matter in party politics.
“Youths had hoped for a candidate who would embody energy, innovation, and inclusive governance.
“Instead, the APC primary has imposed a candidate without grassroots connection and visibility,” the group said.
The network called on the APC National Working Committee to reject the result and warned that if the outcome stands, their support will be directed solely to Tinubu.
“Ikoh we know, Ikoh has stood with Abia youths. But we ask sincerely — who is Eric Opah?
“How can someone unknown to the people be imposed as the face of APC in the governorship race?” the statement said.
The groups urged the party leadership to uphold due process and ensure that the governorship ticket reflects the will of genuine APC members in Abia ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that the party had declared Opah, a renowned businessman, as winner of the the May 21 governorship primaries, after he polled 126,977 votes against his lone challenger, Ikoh, who secured 5,905 votes.
