Abia APC Denies Imposing Non-Member as Governorship Candidate

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations that it allowed a non-member of the party to emerge as its governorship candidate in the recent primary election.

Some party stakeholders, including Mezie Chiekwe Esiaga and Ndubuisi Eme, had last week warned that the APC could face defeat in the 2027 governorship election if the party’s ticket was not given to former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh.

Reacting to the claims on Monday, the APC described the primary election that produced Eric Opah as transparent, credible and free from manipulation.

Addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Umuahia, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Uche Aguoru, rejected allegations that the party imposed a non-member as its governorship candidate.

Aguoru maintained that Opah had been a longstanding member of the APC and was not brought into the party through any irregular process ahead of the primary election.

According to him, Opah secured 125,977 votes in the primary election, defeating Henry Ikoh, who polled 5,905 votes.

The APC spokesman further alleged that those threatening to work against the party ahead of the 2027 elections were being sponsored by an opposition party in the state to discredit the APC.

He expressed confidence in the unity of the party, insisting that the APC remains well-positioned for the 2027 polls.

Aguoru also claimed that the ruling Labour Party in Abia State was grappling with internal divisions, alleging that the party currently has two rival factions.