Former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh, has formally submitted a protest letter to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee, challenging the declaration of Eric Opiah as the winner of the Abia State APC governorship primaries.
In the petition, Ikoh maintained that he was duly adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the party by 13 out of the 18 members of the State Working Committee (SWC), in line with the provisions and guidelines of the APC for the emergence of consensus candidates.
Ikoh expressed surprise over the subsequent declaration of another aspirant as the winner of the primaries despite what he described as a valid and duly documented consensus arrangement overwhelmingly backed by the party leadership in the state.
The former Minister further argued that he was also the popular choice of voters during the primaries, wondering how another person was declared the winner against the will of the people.
He stated that his petition to the Appeal Committee was necessary to protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process and to ensure that justice, equity, and due process prevail.
“I remain a loyal and committed member of the APC, and my decision to approach the Appeal Committee is borne out of the need to uphold the truth and safeguard the credibility of our great party. The consensus arrangement that produced my candidature was genuine, lawful, and supported by 13 out of 18 SWC members,” Ikoh stated.
Chief Ikoh further called on members and supporters of the party across Abia State to remain calm, peaceful, and confident in the ability of the APC leadership and the Appeal Committee to dispense justice fairly and transparently.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the unity and progress of the APC and expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved in accordance with the party’s constitution and established guidelines.
