The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally rejected the candidate list provided by the party’s national headquarters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Instead, the state branch published its own roster of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Uche Aguoru, the state publicity secretary, released the announcement on Wednesday. This decision surfaced shortly after the national leadership replaced Uchenna Erondu with Paul Ikonne for the Abia South senatorial seat, and swapped Chris Nkwonta for Samuel Okezie in the Ukwa East/Ukwa West federal constituency race.
In direct opposition to these changes, the Abia APC list includes Erondu and Nkwonta as their official nominees. The state chapter also named Eric Oprah as its choice for the 2027 gubernatorial contest. Other candidates highlighted in the state-approved list include Orji Uzor Kalu, Emeka Atuma, and Erondu for senatorial positions, alongside a list of House of Representatives contenders including Nkwonta, Uzo Azubuike, Udo Alozie, Uzo Ihuka, Chinedum Orji, Benjamin Kalu, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and Ikenna Ukwa.
Despite this defiance, the state party expressed gratitude to National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and the National Working Committee for managing the initial primary elections, which the state leaders described as transparent and equitable for all participants.
