Abia APC Calls for Unity as 99 Candidates Vie for 36 Primary Seats

Boniface Okoro

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned its members and aspirants that the upcoming primaries must not become a source of internal discord, as 99 candidates compete for the party’s 36 tickets to contest the state’s elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

This caution was issued on Thursday during the party’s Pre‑Primary Election Stakeholders Engagement held at the new party state secretariat in Umuahia. Leaders emphasized the need for discipline and sportsmanship in what they described as the most crowded contest in the party’s recent history.

According to the figures released at the meeting, 64 aspirants had purchased forms for the 24 seats in the Abia State House of Assembly, with 63 cleared to contest. Twenty‑four candidates are seeking tickets for the state’s eight federal constituencies, nine are vying for the three senatorial seats, and three will contest the governorship ticket.

The leaders noted that the large number of aspirants reflects growing confidence in the APC, but stressed that only unity and discipline will convert that momentum into electoral success.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Abia APC leader, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said the party could not afford to fracture after years of rebuilding.

“We want to make sure that our party will not disintegrate after the primaries. We know what we have put in – the energy, the legwork and the resources. May this primary not break the party into pieces, in Jesus’ name,” Kalu said.

He urged aspirants to accept the outcome in good faith, reminding them that political power comes from God and that not everyone can hold office at once.

“All of us will not occupy the position at the same time. One must stand, another must wait. I waited for 17 years and did not die. Today, I am the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and I have gained back all that I had lost,” he said.

Kalu declared that the party has never been stronger, claiming that when Abia APC “coughs,” the state government “shakes.” He assured aspirants of a rancour‑free and credible process, insisting that there was “no automatic ticket anywhere for anybody” and “no list anywhere by anybody.”

Candidates would emerge either by consensus or through a direct primary, and the priority after the exercise must be unity to win the Abia governorship in 2027.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu said President Bola Tinubu had tasked Abia APC to deliver the state in 2027 and urged him to end his feud with the Deputy Speaker.

“He said, quarrel no more. Don’t quarrel with your younger brother, the Deputy Speaker,” Senator Kalu quoted President Tinubu as telling him, and declared that “bickering is gone” as the focus shifts to winning the 2027 election.

State party chairman Hon. Chijioke Chukwu said victory in 2027 depends on successful primaries.

“There is no way we can achieve victory if we don’t make these coming primaries a success. We must approach it with the spirit of brotherhood, with the spirit of sportsmanship. We must place the party above self,” he said.

Aspirants at the meeting committed to ensuring hitch‑free primaries and keeping the party’s interest above personal ambition.