2027: No Automatic Ticket, No Division — Abia APC Leaders Rally Aspirants Ahead of Primaries

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State have called on aspirants contesting various positions ahead of the party primaries to embrace unity and support whoever emerges victorious, warning against actions capable of causing disunity 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, Chijioke Chukwu, urged aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions that could weaken the party after the primaries.

According to him, only one candidate would eventually emerge for each position, stressing that aspirants who fail to secure party tickets should accept the outcome in good faith and remain committed to the APC.

Chukwu disclosed that the party had successfully concluded the screening of aspirants for the 2027 elections and was fully prepared for the primaries.

He also highlighted achievements recorded by the party leadership, including the acquisition of a new state secretariat, which he described as evidence of the growing strength and influence of the APC in Abia State.

“The party has never been this vibrant. All the politicians that matter in Abia are now in APC. We have no reason not to produce the governor,” he declared.

The APC chairman further dismissed the influence of social media in determining election outcomes, insisting that electoral victory would ultimately be decided at the polling units.

Giving details of the screening exercise, the State Organising Secretary of the party, Emeka Okoroafor, disclosed that 64 aspirants purchased forms to contest for seats in 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 by the party.

Okoroafor further revealed that the APC had adopted direct primaries, with elections scheduled to hold simultaneously across wards in the state.

According to him, only party members who are financially up to date with their obligations would be eligible to participate in 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, Benjamin Kalu, dismissed reports alleging the existence of a pre-arranged list of candidates for the primaries, describing such claims as fake and misleading.

Kalu said the party had spent the last three years building a formidable political structure capable of winning elections across Abia 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 stated.

He warned against attempts to destabilise the party after the primaries and stressed the need for members to maintain unity regardless 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 tackling underdevelopment instead of engaging in internal conflicts, expressing confidence that the APC would record significant victories in Abia State during 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, Orji Uzor Kalu, said he attended the stakeholders’ meeting in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu to strengthen unity within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former governor urged party stakeholders to set aside grievances and work collectively 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.

Similarly, the National Welfare Secretary of the APC, Donatus Nwankpa, called for a peaceful and seamless primary process across the state.

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