Fresh political tension has erupted within the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following protests by aggrieved party members and supporters over alleged attempts to impose a preferred candidate for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat ahead of the party primaries.
The protesters stormed the APC State Secretariat along Azikiwe Road, Umuahia, on Friday, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No To Imposition,” “Allow Free And Fair Primaries,” and “Let The Best Candidate Emerge.”
The protest came amid growing controversy surrounding an alleged zoning arrangement said to have emerged from a stakeholders’ meeting involving APC leaders and aspirants in Umuahia North.
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Reports indicated that some stakeholders allegedly resolved that the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat should be ceded to Ohuhu Clan to complete what was described as the remaining four years of an existing eight-year political arrangement within the constituency.
The meeting reportedly ended with the endorsement of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, popularly known as Don Lulu, as the preferred consensus candidate for the seat.
However, the development triggered strong opposition from supporters believed to be loyal to the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, who rejected the alleged endorsement and insisted that no individual or group has the authority to impose candidates on party members.
The protesters maintained that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through a transparent and credible primary election in line with democratic principles and the constitution of the APC.
Speaking during the protest, Hon. Joshua Ezebuiro accused some stakeholders of attempting to undermine the assurances earlier given by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who reportedly stated that there would be no automatic ticket or consensus arrangement unless all aspirants voluntarily agreed in writing.
According to Ezebuiro, APC members in the constituency had worked and sacrificed for the growth of the party and should therefore not be denied the right to choose their leaders through open primaries.
“We don’t want any unpopular candidate imposed on us. If you are popular, come to the field and let the people decide,” he said.
Also speaking, APC stakeholder from Umuahia North, Barr. Ifeanyi Apugo, said party members were demanding nothing more than a level playing ground for all aspirants contesting the House of Representatives seat.
Apugo alleged that a few stakeholders attempted to influence the process through private arrangements, warning that such actions could create disunity and weaken the party ahead of the general elections.
“We are not asking for any special favour. All we want is a free and fair primary election. If we lose, we accept it, and if we win, we celebrate it,” he stated.
The protesters further appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and other APC leaders to intervene and ensure that internal democracy prevails within the party.
Responding to the protesters, the Abia APC State Publicity Secretary, Chief Uche Aguoru, commended them for adopting a peaceful approach in expressing their grievances.
Aguoru assured party members that the APC leadership remained committed to conducting transparent, free, and credible primaries.
He explained that the party recognizes only two methods for candidate selection: consensus and direct primaries.
According to him, consensus can only stand where all aspirants willingly agree in writing and endorse a candidate.
“In situations where aspirants fail to agree on consensus, the only available option is direct primaries, and the responsibility of the party is to ensure fairness for everyone,” Aguoru stated.
He further assured all aspirants who purchased nomination forms and successfully passed screening that none would be unjustly removed from the ballot.
“As I stand here today, I have the mandate of both the national chairman and the state chairman to assure you that nobody will be subchanged and there will be free and fair elections,” he added.
Political observers say the latest protest has further exposed growing cracks within the Abia APC as different political blocs intensify consultations and positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency is regarded as one of the most politically strategic constituencies in Abia State and is expected to witness fierce political contests in the months ahead.
